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Wife discovers second wife via Facebook friend finder

Alan O'Neill was never in a relationship with two women at once, but he was married to two women once. Everything would have been fine if it wasn't for a Facebook friend suggestion.
Written by Emil Protalinski, Contributor

41-year-old Alan O'Neill, a Washington state corrections officer, has been charged with bigamy after his first wife discovered his second wife while on Facebook. The two spouses were introduced to one another when Facebook's friend finder service suggested they become friends. This is not the first time this has happened (Facebook wedding photos result in polygamy arrest) and it won't be the last.

While he wasn't in a relationship with both women simultaneously, O'Neill was still married to the first when he wed the second. Previously known as Alan Fulk, he married his first wife in 2001. The couple split up in 2009, but did not file for divorce, according to court records. In December 2011, he changed his last name to O'Neill and married his second wife later that month without the knowledge of his first spouse.

The first wife grew suspicious when she noticed the second wife had a profile photo of herself and O'Neill posing beside a wedding cake. She called O'Neill's mother, who let the cat out of the bag. "It's not the crime of the century, but it is a crime," prosecutor Mark Lindquist told The News Tribune. "I can't help but think Valentine's Day must have been real stressful with two wives."

An hour after the call to his mother, O'Neill reportedly showed up at his first wife's apartment. She asked him several times if they were divorced and he said, "No, we are still married." He begged her not to tell anyone about his dual marriages so he could "fix" the problem. She didn't listen and instead alerted authorities. O'Neill was charged with bigamy. He was also placed on unpaid administrative leave from corrections officer position, which he held for five years, after prosecutors charged him Thursday.

O'Neill is scheduled to appear in court on March 22 to answer his felony charge. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

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