A Calaveras County jail inmate who is currently serving a five-year sentence for transporting large quantities of marijuana has been granted permission to attend his sister's wedding.

A spokesperson for the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department said the inmate's sister penned a letter to the Sheriff asking if her brother could walk her down the aisle.  Her father, she wrote, had passed several years before and would be unable to give her away. He agreed to honor the request.

Sheriff Gary Kuntz reportedly said his decision was based on the man in question, Edward Pereira, not being seen as dangerous.   Ground rules were set up with the family in advance.  Pereira would need to attend with two armed escorts and would not be permitted to drink alcohol.

Kuntz is known for having a heart.  He had previously allowed two inmates a day pass in order to attend their parents funerals.   Some have written the local newspaper in support of Kuntz's decision.  Another unnamed man disagreed and complained to the county's attorney.  He believes the Sheriff is violating the law because inmates have been granted permission to leave jail without a court order for non-emergency situations.

Kuntz said he has long had a policy for allowing certain inmates to leave the jail for non-emergency situations. He did, though, say he will be changing is policy immediately.