Crime & Law
Feds Accuse Reputed Gang Member of Murder-for-Hire Plot Involving Senior Law Enforcement Official
(Capitol News Illinois)
Federal prosecutors claim a high-ranking Chicago gang member placed a bounty on the head of a top immigration officer involved in “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Prosecutors in Chicago on Monday filed a murder-for-hire charge against 37-year-old Juan Espinoza Martinez, whom they claim is a “ranking member” of the Latin Kings gang.
“Putting a price on the life of a law enforcement officer is an attack on the rule of law,” Andrew Boutros, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, said in a statement. “The defendant’s actions in this case demonstrate a profound contempt for human life and public safety.”
According to prosecutors, Martinez posted a Snapchat message that included a photo of the senior immigration official along with the message “2k on information when you get him” and “10k if u take him down.”
The official was not named in the complaint, but the Chicago Tribune reported it was Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, who has been in Chicago on immigration enforcement operations in recent days.
That Snapchat message was allegedly posted following an incident in Chicago over the weekend in which federal agents allegedly shot a woman they claimed attempted to ram their vehicle near 39th and Kedzie.
“Placing a bounty on the head of a federal officer is an attack on the rule of law and on every American who depends on law enforcement to keep them safe,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. “This case is exactly what we mean when we say Take Back America - taking back every neighborhood and street corner from violent thugs and criminal gangs and returning them to the law-abiding members of our communities.”
