A jury was selected Tuesday in Chicago in the trial of Juan Espinoza Martinez, a 37-year-old accused of offering a $10,000 bounty for the killing of a Border Patrol commander who led an immigration crackdown in the city. Prosecutors allege Martinez sent a message offering the reward to eliminate Gregory Bovino, who oversaw the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations in Chicago, California, North Carolina and Minnesota. Martinez has pleaded not guilty.
Martinez has been in federal custody since his arrest in October. Born in Mexico, he has lived in the United States for more than 30 years without legal permission to stay, according to court records. He worked as a carpenter and is the father of three, according to his family and attorneys.
First Prosecution in Immigration Campaign
The trial marks the first criminal prosecution stemming from the Trump administration’s Operation Midway Blitz in the Chicago area, an immigration enforcement operation that began in September and resulted in approximately 4,300 arrests for alleged immigration violations. About half of roughly 30 criminal cases stemming from the operation have had charges dismissed or dropped.
The Specific Charges
Prosecutors allege that in October, Martinez sent a Snapchat message to other individuals that read in part “10k if u take him down,” along with a picture of Bovino. He also allegedly offered $2,000 for information about the commander, according to court documents. Federal prosecutors initially alleged Martinez was a “ranking member” of the Latin Kings gang based on an anonymous source accusation.
However, prosecutors acknowledged before trial that they did not have evidence proving gang ties. U.S. Judge Joan Lefkow subsequently barred questions about the Latin Kings gang, citing the lack of evidence. Defense attorney Jonathan Bedi told the judge that “the evidence on Mr. Martinez’s intent is so weak.”
Jury Chosen, Trial Underway
Jury selection produced 12 jurors and two alternatives. Much of the jury questioning was conducted in private conversations between the judge and attorneys. Opening statements were scheduled to begin Wednesday.
The trial is expected to last several days and will feature testimony from federal agents along with excerpts of a video-recorded interview Martinez gave to authorities after his arrest. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino is not expected to testify. If convicted, Martinez faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
Commander’s Credibility Questioned
In a federal lawsuit over the operation, a judge found that Bovino lied under oath in depositions, including about alleged gang threats. The lawsuit was part of broader legal challenges to Operation Midway Blitz that have fueled skepticism about the Trump administration’s narrative on the enforcement campaign.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros said in a statement announcing the charges that “putting a price on the life of a law enforcement officer is a line that can never be crossed.”