Jury Selected for Chicago Trial of Man Accused of $10K Bounty on Border Patrol Cmdr. Bovino
The trial of a Chicago man accused of offering a bounty on the life of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is now underway in federal court, and the stakes could affect the narrative around Chicago’s contentious immigration crackdown. A 12-member jury was selected Tuesday at the Dirksen Federal Building, and opening statements are slated to begin Wednesday morning.
The case centers on allegations that Juan Espinoza-Martinez, 37, sent Snapchat messages last October offering $10,000 for Bovino’s killing and $2,000 for information leading to it. Prosecutors tied the offers to tensions tied to “Operation Midway Blitz,” the Trump administration immigration enforcement push in Chicago that Bovino directed last year.
Federal authorities arrested Espinoza-Martinez on a murder-for-hire charge in October. But in a pretrial ruling, a federal judge barred prosecutors from presenting evidence claiming he was a member of the Latin Kings or otherwise tied to a gang, saying such evidence could unfairly prejudice jurors without direct proof.
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Defense attorneys have denied that the defendant has gang ties or intended violence, calling the government’s case weak on intent. Espinoza-Martinez has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody.
“This is a case about actions and intent, not labels,” defense counsel told reporters outside court.
Prosecutors plan to present Snapchat evidence and testimony from federal agents involved in the investigation. The trial is the first major criminal case stemming from Operation Midway Blitz to reach a jury and could shape perceptions of federal immigration enforcement risks and internal safety concerns.
Opening arguments are expected Wednesday, and the trial may last several days.
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