An alleged Chicago gang member and illegal alien has been arrested and charged for putting out a hit on social media for a chief U.S. Border Patrol official.
Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, a suspected ranking member of the Latin Kings street gang, posted messages on Snapchat that included a photo of the law enforcement official along with the messages “2k on information when you get him” and “10k if u take him down.”
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the threat was made towards Border Patrol Commander at Large Chief Gregory Bovino, who has been involved in the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz” in the city.
Depraved individuals – who do not value human life and threaten law enforcement – do NOT belong in this country.
Thanks to ICE and our federal law enforcement partners, Juan Espinoza Martinez, a member of the Latin Kings street gang who placed a bounty on U.S. Border Patrol… pic.twitter.com/CgKJbs76go
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) October 7, 2025
Martinez, who was arrested on Monday, faces one charge of murder-for-hire in the U.S. District Court in Chicago.
“Depraved individuals like Juan Espinoza Martinez – who do not value human life and threaten law enforcement– do NOT belong in this country. We will not allow criminal gangs to put hits on U.S. government officials and our law enforcement officers,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “Thanks to ICE and our federal law enforcement partners, this thug is off our streets and behind bars. These attacks on our brave law enforcement officers must END. Secretary Noem has been crystal clear: If you threaten or lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The charge comes after an increase in violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents trying to apprehend criminal illegal aliens in cities across the U.S. Last week in Chicago, Border Patrol agents were attacked by drivers who rammed their patrol vehicle.
“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,” U.S. 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.”
“The Department of Justice will never allow violent gangs or criminal networks to target those who protect our borders and our communities,” he added. “We will use every authority, every resource, and every partnership at our disposal to bring anyone who threatens or harms our officers to justice – swiftly and decisively.”
Matthew J. Scarpino, special agent-in-charge of ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations in the city, called the gang “a criminal organization notorious for its cruelty and disregard for the law,” adding that the arrest “highlights the steadfast commitment of Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners to protect those who uphold justice.”
“Targeting a senior federal officer is a cowardly and direct assault on the rule of law, and HSI will persist in breaking apart violent gangs like the Latin Kings that threaten our communities and those sworn to protect them,” he added.
Operation Midway Blitz began on Sept. 8 to “target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor [JB] Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets.”
Over the weekend the Trump administration said it was sending 300 National Guard troops from Texas to the city, which has drawn a lawsuit from the state of Illinois.
FBI Director Kash Patel also said Tuesday he’s headed to Chicago as the agency “will continue to crush violent crime there, and all around the country.”
Chicago will be saved, and this FBI will continue to crush violent crime there, and all around the country. Heading to the Windy City now.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 7, 2025
