New Details Emerge on Alleged $10,000 Bounty on US Border Patrol Commander's Head
In a newly unsealed court document, federal authorities have revealed more details about the case involving an alleged $10,000 bounty on the head of US Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. The document includes text messages that allegedly show the response of a street gang to Bovino's immigration blitz.
Juan Espinoza Martinez, a self-proclaimed "ranking member" of the Latin Kings street gang, is at the center of the investigation. Authorities claim he offered a $10,000 bounty on Bovino's head, while also offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
The newly unsealed affidavit reveals that Espinoza Martinez agreed to speak with law enforcement after his arrest and claimed he had received information about Bovino through social media. However, investigators say they discovered evidence of gang ties, including conversations in which Espinoza Martinez referred to himself as "King" and discussed the Latin Kings' response to federal immigration enforcement activities.
Text messages between Espinoza Martinez and an unknown person also suggest that he was involved in discussing the potential purchase of firearms, with one message referencing a Ruger pistol. Furthermore, investigators found a photograph on Espinoza Martinez's phone depicting a large amount of cocaine.
Espinoza Martinez's defense attorney has maintained that his client has no gang ties and is simply a "longtime Chicago resident" who has been unfairly targeted by the investigation. However, authorities say the evidence suggests otherwise.
The case has garnered significant attention in light of the recent drop of an assault case against a woman shot by a Border Patrol agent as part of Operation Midway Blitz. At least 10 cases tied to the immigration blitz have now been dismissed.
As Espinoza Martinez's release from custody is set to be argued in court, questions remain about his involvement with the Latin Kings and whether he has any reason to doubt his character.
In a newly unsealed court document, federal authorities have revealed more details about the case involving an alleged $10,000 bounty on the head of US Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. The document includes text messages that allegedly show the response of a street gang to Bovino's immigration blitz.
Juan Espinoza Martinez, a self-proclaimed "ranking member" of the Latin Kings street gang, is at the center of the investigation. Authorities claim he offered a $10,000 bounty on Bovino's head, while also offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
The newly unsealed affidavit reveals that Espinoza Martinez agreed to speak with law enforcement after his arrest and claimed he had received information about Bovino through social media. However, investigators say they discovered evidence of gang ties, including conversations in which Espinoza Martinez referred to himself as "King" and discussed the Latin Kings' response to federal immigration enforcement activities.
Text messages between Espinoza Martinez and an unknown person also suggest that he was involved in discussing the potential purchase of firearms, with one message referencing a Ruger pistol. Furthermore, investigators found a photograph on Espinoza Martinez's phone depicting a large amount of cocaine.
Espinoza Martinez's defense attorney has maintained that his client has no gang ties and is simply a "longtime Chicago resident" who has been unfairly targeted by the investigation. However, authorities say the evidence suggests otherwise.
The case has garnered significant attention in light of the recent drop of an assault case against a woman shot by a Border Patrol agent as part of Operation Midway Blitz. At least 10 cases tied to the immigration blitz have now been dismissed.
As Espinoza Martinez's release from custody is set to be argued in court, questions remain about his involvement with the Latin Kings and whether he has any reason to doubt his character.
... $10k bounty on a border patrol commander's head? sounds like some serious drama 
. but what's even crazier is that it's all about this one guy juan espinoza martinez, who claims he's the "king" of his street gang 
. and now they're trying to say he's got no ties to the latin kings? lol what evidence can we trust anymore 
?
like what even is a $10k bounty on someone's head tho? seems kinda excessive to me... and these text messages are straight fire, espinoza martinez calling himself "king" 
but seriously though, does anyone know if he actually got that coke from his phone pic or was it just a prop 
come on with this $10,000 bounty nonsense... it's just a numbers game, you know? like, who puts that kind of money on someone's head? 
doesn't make sense. and what's with the street gang thing? i mean, can't these people see they're getting caught up in their own drama? 
! I guess when you're part of a gang, even the smallest convo can land you in hot water 
. And poor dude gets stuck in the system for trying to sell cocaine 
... kinda like how I get stuck in traffic on my way home from work 
. Anywayz, Espinoza's lawyers are saying he's all innocent and stuff, but I got 2 cents: if you're chatting about buying guns with a street gang, you might wanna reconsider your "longtime Chicago resident" story 
. I'm not surprised more cases from Operation Midway Blitz are getting dismissed, it feels like justice is getting lost in the shuffle 
.