Andrew S. Boutros, Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois
Andrew S. Boutros, Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois
An alleged member of a Chicago street gang has been charged with soliciting the murder of a senior law enforcement official involved in an immigration enforcement operation. Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, is accused of offering money for information and the murder of the official, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
Martinez, who was arrested this morning, is said to be a ranking member of the Latin Kings gang. The complaint alleges that he used Snapchat to offer $2,000 for information and $10,000 for killing the official. The message included a photo of the officer involved in operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The announcement was made by Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General; Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Matthew J. Scarpino, Special Agent-in-Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Chicago.
Deputy Attorney General Blanche said that "placing a bounty on the head of a federal officer is an attack on the rule of law." He emphasized that such actions threaten community safety and affirmed that the Department of Justice will use all available resources to bring offenders to justice.
Andrew S. Boutros highlighted that "putting a price on the life of a law enforcement officer is a line that can never be crossed," adding that his office will hold individuals accountable for such actions.
HSI SAC Scarpino noted that targeting federal officers represents an assault on law enforcement and reiterated HSI's commitment to dismantling violent gangs like the Latin Kings.
The public is reminded that Martinez is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
Information from this article can be found here.
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