Gang Member Arrested for Plotting to Kill Border Patrol Chief

An alleged gang member has been accused of plotting to kill a high-ranking official involved in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Federal agents took Juan Espinoza Martinez, a member of the Latin Kings gang, into custody earlier this week.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reports that Martinez allegedly offered at least $10,000 for the elimination of Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol Chief. This revelation surfaced after ICE received online communications suggesting that Martinez was specifically targeting Bovino.

DHS Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin expressed serious concern over the actions of individuals like Martinez. “People like him disregard human life and threaten law enforcement—this behavior has no place in our country,” she stated. McLaughlin reassured the public that law enforcement agencies are committed to protecting officials and bringing criminals to justice.

Martinez was identified through screenshots of Snapchat messages in which he posted a $2,000 reward for information on Bovino and a $10,000 bounty for his capture. Following this discovery, he was arrested in Burridge, Illinois.

The Justice Department has charged Martinez with soliciting the murder of a federal law enforcement officer. McLaughlin emphasized that incidents targeting law enforcement must cease, noting that threats against them will be prosecuted rigorously.

The arrest occurred in a suburb of Chicago, which is currently experiencing heightened immigration enforcement as part of Operation Midway Blitz, an initiative launched by DHS. This operation aims to address illegal immigration allowed under local sanctuary laws.

In light of this crackdown, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor J.B. Pritzker have vocally opposed these measures and have even initiated legal actions against the policies in place.