Importance Score: 32 / 100 🔵
Joe Exotic Marries Fellow Inmate in Prison
Tiger King star Joe Exotic, currently serving a 21-year prison sentence, has announced his marriage to fellow inmate Jorge Flores Maldonado. The controversial figure, known for his role in the Netflix docuseries and his legal battles, revealed the nuptials, sparking renewed interest in his personal life amidst his ongoing incarceration. This development comes as Exotic continues to seek a presidential pardon and maintains his claims of innocence in his conviction for hiring hitmen.
Prison Wedding Announcement
The 62-year-old Exotic, famed for the Tiger King series, disclosed on Tuesday that he had wed Jorge Flores Maldonado, a co-inmate at the Federal Medical Center, Fort Worth. Exotic, whose legal name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is imprisoned following his 2019 conviction for attempting to hire individuals to murder his rival, Carole Baskin, owner of Big Cat Rescue.
In a social media post featuring a digitally altered image of the couple in suits, Exotic humorously declared, “Never been more proud of someone. Meet my husband Jorge Flores Maldonado.”
Engagement Details and Future Plans
News of their engagement originally surfaced in October, when Exotic introduced Maldonado to his followers, describing him as “amazing” and hailing from Mexico. From within the correctional facility, Exotic expressed his aspirations to marry in prison and pursue asylum for Maldonado, suggesting the possibility of leaving the United States together upon their release.
“Either way, I wish I would have met him long ago,” Exotic stated, underscoring the depth of their connection.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Marriage Application and Legal Appeals
Maldonado, Exotic’s new spouse, is reportedly serving time for immigration-related offenses, according to reports. Both individuals were reportedly optimistic about securing prison approval for their marriage application. Furthermore, Exotic reportedly maintains “high hopes” for a successful appeal against his conviction, which includes charges related to the alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting animal rights activist Carole Baskin.
Exotic claims to possess evidence to support his appeal, including “video confessions under oath” and “700 phone recordings of federal agents.”
Pardon Requests and Political Appeals
In previous statements, Exotic has publicly appealed for a presidential pardon, both for himself and for Maldonado, along with seeking asylum for his partner. He has expressed frustration and a sense of injustice, 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.” He has maintained that his actions were simply “building a zoo” and attributed his legal troubles to jealousy.
Relationship Timeline and Previous Marriages
Details of the marriage application process were previously shared by Maldonado-Passage in a phone interview. He mentioned awaiting approval from the warden, psychiatry, and the chaplain before their marriage license could be finalized. He affirmed the strength of their bond, saying, “We love each other very much, spend every minute of the day together.”
Exotic reflected on his past relationships, referencing the loss of two former husbands and a previous partner who reportedly absconded with a significant sum of money. He described Maldonado as “a very amazing young man.”
Past Marriages and Relationships:
- Travis Maldonado: Exotic’s late husband, who tragically died in 2017 due to an accidental self-inflicted gunshot.
- Dillon Passage: Exotic’s most recent former partner, their relationship concluded with a divorce finalized in December 2022. Passage has since moved on.
- John Finlay: Exotic was in a polyamorous relationship with both Travis Maldonado and John Finlay.
Exotic’s complex personal history, including his previous polyamorous relationships and the tragic death of Travis Maldonado, has been documented in the Tiger King series.
Legal Battles and Conviction Details
Joe Exotic’s legal troubles culminated in a 2019 conviction on multiple federal charges, including animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder for hire related to Carole Baskin. Initially sentenced to 22 years, his sentence was later reduced to 21 years after an appeals court ruling.
Exotic has faced considerable criticism for his treatment of animals and his contentious relationship with Carole Baskin, which was central to the Tiger King narrative. He has been the subject of multiple documentaries, including the Netflix series and projects by Louis Theroux.
Future Aspirations and Pardon Efforts
Despite his imprisonment, Exotic reportedly remains optimistic about potential release in 2025 and has expressed ambitions for a future career in academia, envisioning himself as a lecturer sharing his knowledge of tigers.
The recent marriage announcement coincides with Exotic making renewed appeals for a presidential pardon, specifically targeting former President Donald Trump, whom he publicly endorsed. He has even suggested a deal involving his and Maldonado’s relocation to Mexico in exchange for a pardon.
“No matter what happens, he’s my husband, and we’ll never abandon each other. This bond is that strong,” Exotic affirmed, emphasizing the depth of his commitment to his new spouse.