Justice Department alleges Chicago gang leader offered $10K bounty to kill CBP officer
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois charged 37-year-old Juan Espinoza Martinez, who is an alleged leader of the Chicago gang Latin Kings, with one count of murder-for-hire.
By Misty Severi
Published: October 6, 2025 9:51pm
Federal officers on Monday arrested a suspected Chicago gang leader who allegedly offered to pay $10,000 to anyone who killed a senior Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officer involved in Operation Midway Blitz.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois charged 37-year-old Juan Espinoza Martinez, who is an alleged leader of the Chicago gang Latin Kings, with one count of murder-for-hire. No court date has been set so far.
A criminal complaint that was unveiled Monday alleged that Martinez sent messages on Snapchat that offered $2,000 for information on the unnamed senior immigration officer and $10,000 "if you take him down," Fox News reported.
The messages also included an alleged photograph of the designated target. The officer appeared to be targeted over a shooting on Saturday in Chicago's Brighton Park, which involved police and Border Patrol officers. The leader allegedly sent gang members to the area to defend Latin Kings territory, a source told law enforcement.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the threat is an example of why the Justice Department is focused on curbing gang violence.
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https://justthenews.com/government/federal-agencies/justice-department-alleges-chicago-gang-leader-offered-10k-bounty-kill
