Joe Exotic announces engagement to Jorge Marquez
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Joe Exotic, the jailed figure from the Netflix true crime series Tiger King, has appealed on social media for a presidential pardon following his husband’s deportation from the United States.

The 62-year-old Exotic, real name Joseph Allen Maldonado, said on social media he married fellow inmate Jorge Marquez in November last year.

Marquez was released from prison, where he was reportedly being held on immigration violations, and deported to Mexico over the weekend.

Joe Exotic announces engagement to Jorge Marquez
Joe Exotic with Jorge Marquez in 2024. (Twitter: Joe Exotic)

Exotic publicly addressed his request to US President Donald Trump, whom Exotic has supported, even though he momentarily announced his own presidential run while incarcerated, using the social media platform X.

“I don’t oppose deportation because it’s the law and we anticipated this, but when they come to America seeking refuge from danger… America should at least ensure their safe return,” he stated.

Exotic claimed Marquez had been “dumped at the border” by US immigration agents, and was then attacked and robbed by cartel members while on a bus to Monterrey.

Tagging Trump’s X account in an earlier post, Exotic said: “I know that you are not fond of my lifestyle, but I supported you … just allow me go to Mexico with my husband.”

In another post, he promised he would stay with Marquez in Mexico until the latter could return to the US legally, if pardoned.

In 2020, Exotic began serving a 22-year prison sentence (later reduced to 21 years) after he was convicted hiring two men to kill activist Carole Baskin.

He repeatedly maintains online that he is innocent.

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