The FBI has thwarted an attempt to target a senior ICE official, allegedly orchestrated by Juan Espinoza Martinez, a suspected leader of the Latin Kings gang in Chicago. Martinez is now in federal custody following charges related to offering bounties for the capture or killing of Gregory Bovino, the Operational Ground Commander of “Operation Midway Blitz,” which has been targeting undocumented individuals in the city.
According to authorities, Martinez allegedly placed a $2,000 bounty for capturing Bovino and a $10,000 reward for his death. The plot emerged after an October 4 incident in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood, where federal agents were ambushed by multiple vehicles, resulting in one attacker being wounded during a confrontation. DHS officials stated that this event likely prompted Martinez to initiate the bounty.
Martinez is accused of directing gang members to patrol areas near the ambush site, seeking conflict with federal agents. The criminal complaint details his role as a ranking member of the Latin Kings, a group known for violent crimes and drug trafficking in Chicago. A confidential source informed investigators that Martinez ordered operatives to obtain firearms and defend gang territory following the incident.
The alleged plot came to light after a source provided screenshots of Snapchat messages, including one where Martinez reportedly offered the bounties. The messages, written in Spanish, referenced capturing or killing Bovino. Authorities arrested Martinez on Monday in Burr Ridge, a Chicago suburb, though his court appearance has not been scheduled. U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros described the alleged conspiracy as “an attack on the rule of law.”
Bovino, who has led Operation Midway Blitz, emphasized the risks faced by federal agents during a recent Fox News appearance. Despite the bounty placed against him, he expressed confidence in his mission to address immigration enforcement challenges. DHS officials noted that while Martinez’s arrest disrupts the immediate threat, the broader danger persists due to ongoing gang activity.
The case highlights tensions between federal law enforcement and criminal organizations in Chicago, with Bovino acknowledging the potential for further confrontations.
