The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Friday the arrest of a criminal illegal immigrant and member of the Latin Kings street gang accused of placing a bounty on U.S. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino.

According to DHS, a confidential source alerted authorities on October 3, 2025, that a “hit” had been ordered against Chief Bovino by a Latin Kings member. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit identified the suspect as Juan Espinoza Martinez. He was taken into custody on October 6 in Burr Ridge, Illinois.

HSI Chicago received a screenshot of a Snapchat conversation from a user named “Juan” appearing to place a $2,000 bounty for information “cuando lo agarren,” which translates to “when they catch him,” as well as a $10,000 reward “if you take him down.”

A third response of “LK….on him” indicates the involvement of the Latin Kings, a DHS press release stated.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged Juan Espinoza Martinez with soliciting the murder of a senior federal law enforcement official.

“Depraved individuals like Juan Espinoza Martinez – who do not value human life and threaten law enforcement– do NOT belong in this country. We will not allow criminal gangs to put hits on U.S. government officials and our law enforcement officers,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

“Thanks to ICE and our federal law enforcement partners, this thug is off our streets and behind bars. These attacks on our brave law enforcement officers must END. Secretary Noem has been crystal clear: If you threaten or lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she added.