Federal authorities arrested Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, in Burr Ridge, Illinois, on charges of soliciting the murder of a senior law enforcement official. Martinez, identified by investigators as a member of the Latin Kings gang, is accused of offering a $10,000 bounty to kill Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino.
According to court documents, Martinez initially posted a $2,000 reward on Snapchat for information on Bovino’s whereabouts, accompanied by a photograph, before escalating the offer to $10,000 for taking him down.
The New York Post reports:
Authorities became aware of the alleged hit after a source sent them a screenshot of the messages last week, court papers charge.
“Depraved individuals like Juan Espinoza Martinez – who do not value human life and threaten law enforcement – do NOT belong in this country,” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.
“We will not allow criminal gangs to put hits on US government officials and our law enforcement officers.”
McLaughlin praised the work of federal agencies in bringing the case to a close. “Thanks to ICE and our federal law enforcement partners, this thug is off our streets and behind bars.”
Bovino himself briefly addressed the allegations during an interview on Fox News Tuesday night:
The FBI opened an investigation after receiving screenshots of the posts and ultimately charged Martinez with solicitation of murder. Authorities allege Martinez is an illegal immigrant from Mexico.
DHS says investigators in Chicago got tipped off by a confidential source about a disturbing Snapchat messages from a user called “Juan.” The post allegedly put $2,000 on Bovino “cuando lo agarren” — “when they catch him” — and later jacked it up to $10,000 “if you take him down.” A third message, “LK…on him,” signaled alleged involvement of the Latin Kings gang.
Officials say the plot is connected to ongoing immigration enforcement in the Chicago area under “Operation Midway Blitz,” a federal effort spearheaded by Bovino and other Border Patrol leaders.
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Anarchy in Illinois. What is Governor Pritzker going to do about it? Nothing.