Mexican Influencer Sentenced to 17 Years for Attempted Femicide

NAUCALPAN, Mexico — Mexican influencer Rodolfo ‘Fofo’ Márquez was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison on Wednesday for the attempted femicide of a 51-year-old woman in 2024. The ruling, delivered by Judge José Carmen Vilchis, also included a fine of 67,300 pesos ($3,278) and a restitution payment of 277,400 pesos ($13,513) to the victim.

The incident occurred on February 22, 2024, in a parking lot of a commercial plaza in Naucalpan, State of Mexico. Surveillance footage, which went viral on social media, showed Márquez physically assaulting the woman, identified as Edith Márquez, following a minor traffic dispute. The influencer was arrested on April 4, 2024, and formally charged with attempted femicide on April 10.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Vilchis described the video evidence as ‘irrefutable,’ stating that ‘no words could be more compelling than the video itself.’ The court also ordered Márquez to undergo two years of psychological treatment with a gender perspective and suspended his civil rights.

The prosecution had sought the maximum penalty of 46 years and eight months, citing the public nature of the attack and the premeditated violence. However, Márquez’s defense argued for the minimum sentence, claiming their client was ‘not a criminal or a murderer’ but a public figure. The judge ultimately imposed an intermediate sentence, citing mitigating factors.

Outside the courtroom, Edith Márquez expressed mixed emotions about the verdict. ‘I would have liked a higher sentence, but I respect the judge’s decision,’ she said. The victim also revealed ongoing fear and intimidation, stating, ‘If anything happens to me or my family, you already know who is responsible.’

The case has sparked widespread debate about the influence of social media personalities and the normalization of violence against women. Márquez, known for his controversial online persona, faced public backlash as the video of the assault circulated widely.

In addition to the prison term, Márquez was ordered to pay restitution and a fine, with the judge emphasizing the need for accountability in cases of gender-based violence. The sentencing marks a significant moment in Mexico’s ongoing struggle to address femicide and violence against women.