A newly unsealed court document has shed more light on the case involving a $10,000 bounty on the head of US Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. The document reveals text messages that allegedly show the response of a street gang, specifically the Latin Kings, to Bovino's immigration blitz.
According to federal authorities, Juan Espinoza Martinez, a self-proclaimed "ranking member" of the Latin Kings, placed the bounty on Bovino. However, his attorneys claim he has a stable job, deep family connections, and no criminal background. They deny any ties to the gang.
The case is closely tied to Operation Midway Blitz, a deportation campaign that has seen at least 10 cases dismissed. Espinoza Martinez's separate case involves a cooperating source who claims he sent Bovino a picture with messages including "10K if u take him down" and "LK … on him". Authorities say this meant Espinoza Martinez had offered $2,000 for information about Bovino and a $10,000 reward for his murder.
In the newly unsealed affidavit, Espinoza Martinez agrees to cooperate with law enforcement after his arrest. He claims he was using a Snapchat account called "Monkey", but acknowledges sending the picture and message to others. He also agrees to let investigators search his phone, which allegedly led to discovering conversations in which another person referred to him as "King".
Investigators found text messages between Espinoza Martinez and an unknown person discussing the Latin King gang's response to federal immigration enforcement activities on Chicago's west side. One of the messages read: "my guys are ready in the vill", while another message stated, "Chapo has our back bro. if they take one its gunna be bad".
Espinoza Martinez's defense attorney, Jonathan Bedi, has called for his client's release from custody, citing a lack of evidence and concerns about his character. Bedi claims Espinoza Martinez is a dedicated union member with an unblemished record, who "has never given anyone reason to doubt his character".
According to federal authorities, Juan Espinoza Martinez, a self-proclaimed "ranking member" of the Latin Kings, placed the bounty on Bovino. However, his attorneys claim he has a stable job, deep family connections, and no criminal background. They deny any ties to the gang.
The case is closely tied to Operation Midway Blitz, a deportation campaign that has seen at least 10 cases dismissed. Espinoza Martinez's separate case involves a cooperating source who claims he sent Bovino a picture with messages including "10K if u take him down" and "LK … on him". Authorities say this meant Espinoza Martinez had offered $2,000 for information about Bovino and a $10,000 reward for his murder.
In the newly unsealed affidavit, Espinoza Martinez agrees to cooperate with law enforcement after his arrest. He claims he was using a Snapchat account called "Monkey", but acknowledges sending the picture and message to others. He also agrees to let investigators search his phone, which allegedly led to discovering conversations in which another person referred to him as "King".
Investigators found text messages between Espinoza Martinez and an unknown person discussing the Latin King gang's response to federal immigration enforcement activities on Chicago's west side. One of the messages read: "my guys are ready in the vill", while another message stated, "Chapo has our back bro. if they take one its gunna be bad".
Espinoza Martinez's defense attorney, Jonathan Bedi, has called for his client's release from custody, citing a lack of evidence and concerns about his character. Bedi claims Espinoza Martinez is a dedicated union member with an unblemished record, who "has never given anyone reason to doubt his character".
. I mean, I get it, Operation Midway Blitz is a big deal but $10k bounty on someone's head? That's just wild 
. And now his lawyer's all up in arms sayin' he's got no ties to the Latin Kings and is all about that union life 
. But at the same time, this guy was sendin' pics with messages like "my guys are ready in the vill"... sounds like someone was talkin' shop 
. Can't help but wonder what really went down here...
. And the fact that this guy Espinoza Martinez claims he's got no ties to the Latin Kings, but his phone messages say otherwise 
. It's all so suspicious, you know? I don't trust that defense attorney, Bedi, either... sounds like he's trying to spin a narrative to get his client out of trouble 
.
. If they're just enforcing the law, why are people putting bounties on each other's heads? It feels like there's more to it than meets the eye... maybe something we don't know about yet 
. And what about his Snapchat account? Was that just a random account or was it somehow connected to the gang? 
and I'm still thinking about those weird waves they have there. Like, have you ever noticed how some beaches just have this one spot where the water is all foamy and crazy? It's like nature's own personal rollercoaster! 
Anyway, speaking of wild things, I saw a video of this guy who's a professional sand-sculptor and he makes these incredible intricate designs out of nothing but sand. I mean, what even is the logic behind that?