San Jose Quinceaรฑera Planner Faces Grand Theft Charges
SAN JOSE, CA – A san Jose man is facing grand theft charges โขafter allegedly defrauding โคmultiple families who hired him to plan their daughters’ quinceaรฑeras, leaving vendors unpaid and celebrations threatened. Juan Martin Gaspar, also knownโข as Juan Martin Barcenas, was arraigned on September 25th and is currently out of custody on $100,000 bail.
The case highlights a growing vulnerability for families investing significant sums in milestone celebrations. Prosecutorsโข allege Gaspar accepted “large fees” from โat least โฃsevenโ familiesโ between 2023โฃ and โ2024, but failed โฃto remit payment to โฃthe businesses providingโ essential services – venues, catering, and decorations – sometimesโค resulting in vendors demanding money โขon โขthe day of the event. The Santa Clara county District Attorney’s Office โinitiated the examinationโค followingโข reportsโ from local news outlets and a complaint filed with their Consumer Protection Unit.
According to theโ District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations, families contracted Gaspar โขto organize their quinceaรฑeras, only to be confronted by unpaid โvendors seeking immediate โขpayment. Gaspar is prohibited from working as an event planner while the case proceeds.He is scheduled to appear โคin court againโข on december 2nd, and faces potential jail time if โขconvicted.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is handling the โprosecution.