A high-ranking member of the Latin Kings Chicago street gang tried to put a hit out on U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, according to federal prosecutors.
Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, was ordered by a federal judge to be held in custody due to the nature of the criminal charges related to the alleged murder-for-hire plot, NBC News reported.
The station reported that Espinoza Martinez allegedly "solicited members of the Latin Kings and others to harm or murder" Bovino. The offer allegedly was for up to $2,000 for information and $10,000 "to take him down." NBC News reported that Bovino was listed in court records as "victim A."
"When violent gangs can plot to kidnap and kill law enforcement officers in a U.S. city like Chicago, that means they are feeling way too comfortable. Time to make them feel uncomfortable," Bovino stated on X.
Chicago and its surrounding suburbs have had ongoing clashes between protesters and ICE officers for several weeks. ICE has been conducting "Operation Midway Blitz" with stepped-up enforcement efforts throughout the Chicago-area. Protesters have said that ICE is using overly aggressive tactics, while the agency contends that its operations are targeted.
NBC News reported that court documents in the Espinoza Martinez case refer to an October 4 incident in Brighton Park where ICE agents said their vehicles were rammed. A woman was shot during that incident.
CWBChicago reported that federal prosecutors allege that Espinoza Martinez "dispatched" gang members to the area following the shooting. The website reported, according to court documents, that Martinez has the authority to order violent acts within the gang.
