A Latin Kings gangbanger allegedly put a bounty hit out on Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino – firing off a Snapchat message that read, “10k if u take him down.”
Juan Espinoza Martinez, a 37-year-old Mexican living in the US illegally, was nabbed Monday in Burr Ridge, a Chicago suburb, after the feds were tipped off to the alleged murder-for-hire plot, authorities said.
In the Snapchat conversation, the ranking street gang member included a photo of Bovino and placed a $2,000 bounty for his capture, according to a criminal complaint.
Juan Espinoza Martinez, a suspected Latin Kings leader is accused of offering cash bounties to kill a federal immigration officer. Martinez was arrested on Oct. 6, 2025, in Chicago. Department of Homeland security
The text of the cash bounties being offered. Department of JusticeThe message, which was written in Spanish, read “cuando lo agarren,” which translates to “when they catch him.”
In a follow message, he allegedly offered “10k if you take him down.”
Authorities became aware of the alleged hit after a source sent them a screenshot of the messages last week, court papers charge.
“Depraved individuals like Juan Espinoza Martinez – who do not value human life and threaten law enforcement – do NOT belong in this country,” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.
The text messages on the alleged bounty offered on the officers. Department of Homeland security“We will not allow criminal gangs to put hits on US government officials and our law enforcement officers.”
“Thanks to ICE and our federal law enforcement partners, this thug is off our streets and behind bars.
Federal law enforcement agents attack demonstrators protesting outside of an immigrant processing center with a barrage of tear gas and pepper balls on Sept. 27, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. Getty Images“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.”
Homeland Security said Martinez is from Mexico and entered the US illegally at an unknown date and time.
AFP via Getty ImagesHe was arrested for soliciting the murder of a senior law enforcement official, the feds said.
Bovino has been spearheading “Operation Midway Blitz” that has seen federal troops descend on Chicago in recent weeks as part of a crackdown on illegal immigrants.
“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.
“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.”
