José Trinidad Marín initially rose to fame as the husband of the late Latin singer Jenni Rivera. However, years after their marriage, she discovered he was not faithful.
That would have led to a dispute and, perhaps, a divorce. But José Trinidad Marín had not just been sleeping with someone else; he had been sexually abusing their kids and his sister-in-law.
Keep reading to learn more about the vile man and the evil deeds that imprisoned him.
Who Was Jenni Rivera’s Ex-Husband?
Jenni Rivera’s first husband was José Trinidad Marín. He was born on February 15, 1964, in Mexico. He was born into a Christian household and is of mixed heritage. The world may never have known who he is if he had not married Rivera, the now-late singer-songwriter.
The gorgeous woman had chosen to keep her relationship with Marín as private as possible in the early days of their love, so not much is known about him. He has not also been forthcoming with information on his background.
However, we know he originates from Mexico, where he lived with his parents and holds an American-Mexican passport. There is no legit information on when he relocated to the US, but according to reports, he met Rivera in high school. So, it is safe to assume he migrated to the US at a young age.
José Trinidad Marín Career
When they started dating, Marín was engaged in various menial jobs to make ends meet. It did not take long for him to find a job as a restaurant manager, which helped him get comfortable financially.
He urged Rivera not to attend college and instead remain home with their kids as a full-time housewife. Rivera balked at the advice, and the situation caused a rift between them, leading to physical abuse.
José Trinidad Marín and Jenni Rivera Relationship
Marín and Rivera hit it off in high school, and in 1984, he got hitched to the talented singer. At the time of their marriage, she was a teen of 15, and pregnant with their first child, while he was 20.
Rivera was still a high school student when they welcomed their first child, daughter Chiquis Rivera, on June 26, 1985. It wasn’t easy, but Rivera ensured she completed high school and cared for her child.
The pair welcomed their second child, another daughter called Jacqueline, on November 20, 1989. Their third child was a boy they named Michael, and he joined their family on September 11, 1991.
Rivera filed for divorce from Marín in the early 1990s, and it was finalized in 1992, a year after they welcomed their third child. The grounds for their divorce were the mental and physical abuse he inflicted on her while they were married. She did not find out about him sexually abusing their child and sister-in-law until 1997, years after the divorce.
What Happened to Jenni Rivera’s First Husband, José Trinidad Marín?
Marín, better known as “Trino,” was charged with sexual abuse in 1997 following confessions from his daughter and sister-in-law claiming they had been victimized in the early 1990s before and after his split from Rivera.
The incidents allegedly occurred between 1988 and 1997, mostly at their residences in Long Beach. His sister-in-law was seven when Marín allegedly abused her while his daughter was 8.
The abuse, mainly of fondling, reportedly happened when Marín fought with Rivera. The girls were quiet about it for years because Marín threatened to harm them or other family members if they told. When it became public news, Marín fled and was on the run for nine years before he was caught and charged to court for his crimes.
What Did José Trinidad Marín Get Charged With?
The legal proceedings concerning José Trinidad Marín’s crimes presented a difficult time for his family, especially Rivera and the molested girls. However, the singer pushed through, determined to see the end of it, not just for her kids but for other women and teens who get molested and feel trapped.
She said: “Yes, we had to revive things we had already buried, but I think it is necessary for a full recovery. My mission is to help other people who have gone through the same thing.”
The legal case continued for about a year, after which Marín was found guilty of sexual abuse. He was sentenced to 31 years to life in prison without any possibility of early parole for good behavior.
José Trinidad Marín Now
Marín is still in prison, serving time for his crimes. But he seems to be genuinely remorseful and on the mend. According to reports, he is on good terms with his daughters, who appear to have forgiven him.
Other people like Rivera’s girls with parents convicted for crimes include Michael Gacy and Charles Luther Manson.