CHICAGO (AP) — A jury was selected Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of offering a $10,000 bounty to a Border Patrol commander during last year’s immigration crackdown in Chicago.
Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, faces one count of murder-for-hire. Federal prosecutors say he was a “high-ranking member” of the Latin Kings gang who offered a reward for the killing of Gregory Bovino. The Border Patrol official has been the face of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration operations, including in California, North Carolina and minnesota.
Espinosa Martinez is the first person to face a criminal trial in connection with the crackdown in and around the country’s third-largest city. Bovino and the Trump administration viewed the case as an example of the growing dangers federal agents face.
But a series of federal lawsuits has raised doubts about the Trump administration’s claims about the Chicago operation. Of the approximately 30 criminal cases stemming from the Midway blitz, about half of the charges have been dismissed or dropped. In a high-profile lawsuit that forced Bovino to testify, a federal judge found that he had lied under oath, including about alleged gang threats.
Days before Espinosa Martinez’s trial, prosecutors admitted they had no evidence of gang ties, leading U.S. Judge Joan Lefko to bar the Latin Kings from questioning.
Espinoza Martinez, who has pleaded not guilty, appeared in court wearing a dark suit and tie and watched the proceedings intently. He has been in federal custody since his October arrest.
He was born in Mexico and has lived in the United States for more than 30 years. He does not have legal permission to remain in the United States.
His family and attorney said he was not a gang member. The father of three is a carpenter.
“The evidence as to Mr. Martinez’s intent is very weak,” defense attorney Jonathan Bedy told the judge before the jury was seated.
Opening statements are scheduled for Wednesday after 12 jurors and two alternates are selected. Most of the juror questioning takes place in private conversations between the judge and attorneys.
Prosecutors said Espinoza Martinez sent a Snapchat message to other gang members in October that read, in part, “10k if you knock him out” and included a photo of Bovino. He also allegedly offered to pay $2,000 for information about the commander. The criminal complaint cites an anonymous source who describes Espinosa Martinez as a “senior member of the Latin Kings.”
The trial is expected to last several days and will include testimony from federal agents and excerpts from videotaped interviews Espinosa Martinez provided to authorities after her arrest. Bovino is not expected to testify.
If convicted, Espinosa Martinez faces up to 10 years in prison.
“Putting a price on the lives of law enforcement officers is a line that can never be crossed,” U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros said in a statement announcing the charges in October.
The review of agents’ use of force follows operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans and now the Minnesota Twin Cities. The arrests by armed masked agents sparked numerous protests and violent confrontations in every region.
In the Chicago area, more than 4,300 people were arrested on suspicion of violating immigration laws in a crackdown that began in September. Bovino said immigration operations in Chicago will increase again in the coming months.
