A high-ranking member of the Latin Kings gang has made waves in a chilling federal case involving a murder-for-hire plot against a U.S. Border Patrol commander. This unsettling turn of events has been documented in a criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of Illinois.
Prosecutors allege that Juan Espinoza Martinez, known colloquially as “Monkey,” offered a staggering $10,000 for the assassination of the targeted officer, in addition to a $2,000 bounty for information regarding the officer’s whereabouts.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem took to “Fox & Friends” to express severe concerns, revealing that specific law enforcement personnel now have bounties placed on them by cartel members and organized gangs. “Intelligence indicates that these groups are increasingly coordinated, growing their forces to carry out assaults against law enforcement,” Noem warned.
“We have identified particular officers and agents who have become targets,” she emphasized. “They face bounties as low as $2,000 for kidnapping and $10,000 for execution. Their photographs have been circulated among these networks, presenting a uniquely perilous and unprecedented threat.”
According to Special Agent Christopher Perugini of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Martinez took to Snapchat to share a photo of the intended target, coupling it with a menacing message that translates to: “$2,000 for information when you catch him.”
His messages, brimming with gang slang, further indicated that the Latin Kings had officially sanctioned the hit.
Sources, including the Chicago Tribune, reveal that the officer in question is U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino, who leads “Operation Midway Blitz.” This joint endeavor aims to combat human trafficking, drug smuggling, and gang-related crimes in the Chicago area.
Further details from the Department of Justice highlight that Martinez, a 37-year-old key member of the Latin Kings, has been charged with one count of murder-for-hire and was apprehended this morning. His first appearance in federal court is yet to be scheduled.
The complaint sheds light on the severity of Martinez’s actions, illustrating a blatant disregard for public safety, as he explicitly stated in a Snapchat message: “$2,000 for information when you get him” and “$10,000 if you take him down.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche condemned the attack, stating, “Placing a bounty on a federal officer is an affront to the rule of law and a betrayal of every American who depends on law enforcement for protection.”
Echoing this sentiment, U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros asserted that “targeting a law enforcement officer is a cowardly assault on our legal framework.” He emphasized the office’s commitment to ensuring that no officer should have to fear for their safety while executing their duties.
HSI’s Special Agent-in-Charge, Matthew J. Scarpino, remarked on Martinez’s gang affiliation, characterizing such activities as reflective of a deeply ingrained culture of violence. He affirmed their dedication to dismantling violent gangs like the Latin Kings that endanger communities and threaten law enforcement.
UPDATE: A high-ranking Chicago gang member has been charged with placing a murderous contract on Border Commander Greg Bovino, integral to President Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz.
Just as Illinois officials, such as Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, put the spotlight on policing issues… pic.twitter.com/1J72ldjXj0
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 6, 2025
