Federal authorities have charged an alleged member of the Chicago Latin King gang with a murder-for-hire plot against a top Trump administration immigration official – Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino.
A federal criminal complaint, obtained by NBC 5 Investigates, shows federal authorities charged a 37-year-old Chicago man, Juan Espinoza Martinez, with allegedly soliciting other Latin King members and others for up to $2,000 for information about Bovino and $10,000 for his murder.
Over the weekend, federal authorities alleged that after two people tried to ram vehicles containing federal immigration agents near 39th and Kedzie in Brighton Park, agents ended up shooting a woman in one of those vehicles.
After that incident, court records alleged that Juan Espinoza Martinez sent out messages offering Latin Kings and others up to $2,000 for information on a senior Border Patrol official involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” and $10,000 for their murder.
According to court records, Espinoza Martinez reportedly made the solicitations about Bovino to a law enforcement source, which was shared via the online platform Snapchat. A federal criminal complaint included a screen grab, reportedly from Espinoza Martinez’s account, showing the solicitation in the alleged murder-for-hire plot.
Cell phone video obtained by NBC 5 Investigates shows the arrest of Espinoza Martinez Monday morning near businesses in Burr Ridge, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol officials had not responded to requests for comment by NBC 5 Investigates Monday afternoon.
But during an appearance on Fox News, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem discussed threats made against agents. She said some had been given additional security.
“We have had specific officers and agents with bounties (on them),” Noem said. “…it’s an extremely dangerous situation and unprecedented…”
The criminal complaint also states that Espinoza Martinez included a picture of Border Patrol Commander Bovino in his alleged solicitation messages sent via Snapchat.