CHICAGO — A high-ranking alleged member of the Latin Kings street gang is charged with putting a hit out on a senior law enforcement official involved in Operation Midway Blitz.
Police arrested 37-year-old Juan Espinoza Martinez on Monday. He has been charged with one count of murder-for-hire.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago, Martinez sent a Snapchat message stating, “2K on information when you get him” and “10K if you take him down.”
NewsNation affiliate WGN-TV has confirmed the alleged target of the solicitation of murder was Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino.
A statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office said Martinez was charged in federal court with soliciting the murder of the official.
The criminal complaint against Espinoza Martinez alleges he is in a position of authority within the gang and has power to order its members to kill.
The Latin Kings gang has been operating for at least 70 years in the U.S., and hundreds of its members have been convicted of murder, drug trafficking and racketeering.
A court date for Espinoza Martinez has not been set.
NewsNation contributed to this report.