PC FROM COROZAL TOWN COMMITS BIGAMY?

A police constable attached to the Patrol Branch of the Police Department in Belize City is under criminal investigation after his estranged wife of ten years reported to his superiors that he has married again without first getting a divorce from his first marriage.

Jaime Pena was picked up from his work place Monday afternoon and taken into custody for questioning after his wife Ruby Pena, made a report against him.

The wife told investigators that her husband has allegedly married to a Guatemalan woman identified as Olga Leticia Guzman on February 9 of last year, despite the fact that he has never secured a divorce from her, whom he had married almost 11 years ago on February 7 of 1998.

According to the wife, she presented a copy of her husband new marriage certificate to the police to prove that he has married twice, but police say they need to further investigate to determine if the report is true.

Ruby Pena told the Reporter that she and her husband has three children, a ten year old boy, and two girls, a six year and a four year old.

The wife said she and Pena has been separated for almost two years and that she had secured legal separation after a long abusive relation and allegation of adultery.

She said Pena married her in the name of Luciano Jaime Pena, but used the name Jaime Pena in his second marriage. The wife said she and her husband were married at the Roman Catholic Church in Corozal Town, while the husband married the other woman at the Supreme Court Registry.

“All I want is for him to leave me and my kids alone. He has been trying to get me and the kids out of the house for some time,” the wife claimed.

She went on to accuse the husband of one time forcing his way into the family home.

She said she filed criminal charges against him, but “he asked me to drop the charge because he could lose his job,” she said.

Police Superintendent Julio Valdez, the officer in charge of the police Criminal Investigation Branch in Belize City, confirmed to the Reporter that Pena’s wife has filed a complaint against him, but they are investigating the allegation.

He said no arrest can be made unless they can confirmed with the Registry Department that indeed Pena has been married twice.

Pena, who we were unable to reach for comments, is originally from Corozal Town.

He has been questioned by police and denied the allegation.

If the evidence turns out to be true and Pena is convicted, he could face five to eight years in jail.

Last Updated by the Reporter ( Tuesday, 23 December 2008 )


I personally know Ruby, she is hardworking and has just finished her PED Associates Degree at CJC ACE. I wish he all the best in her future endeavours. She deserves it after all she has been through.
Keep the faith, dear friend and past student. God is with you!