Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
Joe Exotic Announces Engagement While Serving Prison Sentence
Joseph Maldonado, widely recognized as Joe Exotic from the Netflix phenomenon “Tiger King,” has revealed that he is engaged to a fellow inmate while serving his federal prison sentence. Exotic is currently at the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, where he filed a marriage application to wed Jorge Marquez Flores.
Maldonado, sentenced in 2019 to 21 years in prison for a series of wildlife crimes and for conspiring to murder animal rights activist Carole Baskin, has made headlines frequently since the airing of his story. His fiancé, 33-year-old Jorge Marquez Flores, is incarcerated due to immigration issues, as detailed in Exotic’s announcement.
Expressing their optimism, Maldonado stated that both he and Flores are hopeful their marriage application will be approved. They believe that Maldonado’s legal appeal may also bear fruit, with aspirations of being released from prison around mid-2025.
In conjunction with their engagement, Maldonado made a request for clemency, seeking a presidential pardon for both him and Flores, alongside asylum for Flores. He criticized the system, stating, “I wish someone that is President or wins the Presidency would do the right thing and pardon me so I could move past this nightmare that my own country has caused for the last 7 years of my life. All I did was build a zoo and some people were very jealous. Then I was put into prison by my own country.”
Background on Joe Exotic’s Legal Troubles
Maldonado’s legal issues have been well-documented, stemming from multiple animal welfare violations and his notorious plot against Baskin, which captured the attention of the public. The narrative surrounding him raises questions about justice, celebrity, and the interplay of personal and legal challenges faced by individuals in the spotlight.
Future Prospects
The engagement and hopes for a pardon add a new chapter to Maldonado’s story, which has captivated audiences and sparked debates about animal rights, justice reform, and the complex nature of fame. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact both Maldonado’s future and the ongoing conversations surrounding his past actions.
Source
www.cbsnews.com