Chicago Jury Acquits Juan Espinoza Martinez in Murder-for-Hire Plot
A Chicago jury acquitted Juan Espinoza Martinez on Thursday in a murder-for-hire plot case targeting Gregory Bovino, a top U.S. Border Patrol leader. The Department of Justice had alleged that Espinoza Martinez, 37, offered $10,000 via Snapchat in October for Bovino's killing. Bovino leads aggressive immigration operations nationally.
Defense attorneys argued that Espinoza Martinez's social media message was innocuous and did not constitute a threat. The jury deliberated for less than four hours before returning the not guilty verdict. This outcome marks another federal prosecution related to immigration enforcement that has not resulted in a conviction, following similar cases nationwide.
The Charges and Initial Response
Espinoza Martinez had faced a potential 10-year prison sentence. Upon his arrest, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described him as a "depraved" gang member and "thug." Bovino has cited the case as an example of increasing dangers for federal agents.
"DHS described him as a 'depraved' gang member and 'thug.'"
The Prosecution's Case
The prosecution presented Snapchat messages Espinoza Martinez sent to his younger brother and a government informant, including one that read in part, "10k if u take him down," accompanied by a picture of Bovino. Prosecutors stated these words had meaning and were not harmless. Prosecutors also claimed Espinoza Martinez was "fixated and obsessed" with Bovino and cited other messages criticizing immigration crackdowns.
The Defense's Strategy
Defense lawyers countered that the government lacked evidence of intent to carry out or pay for the killing. They described the messages as "neighborhood gossip" sent after work while consuming beer, noting Espinoza Martinez did not follow up and had limited funds.
His defense attorney, Dena Singer, asserted that sending a message about overheard gossip is not a federal crime.
Defense lawyers maintained he was a carpenter and family man upset by local immigration enforcement but had no gang ties.
Key Witnesses and Background
Neither Espinoza Martinez nor Bovino testified during the three-day trial. Espinoza Martinez's brother, Oscar, testified that he perceived the Snapchat messages as a joke, having seen similar content on Facebook. Clips of Espinoza Martinez's interview with law enforcement were played, where he expressed confusion about the charges, stating he sent the messages without much thought and did not threaten anyone.
Born in Mexico, Espinoza Martinez has resided in Chicago for years without U.S. citizenship. Federal prosecutors initially identified him as a "ranking member" of the Latin Kings, but the judge barred testimony on the street gang due to a lack of evidence.
Singer highlighted aspects of the government's case, including the testimony of Adrian Jimenez, a 44-year-old construction company owner who was a paid government informant. Jimenez had exchanged Snapchats with Espinoza Martinez about work and shared the messages with federal investigators. Singer questioned the plausibility of soliciting a murder from an individual with apparent physical limitations, as Jimenez walked with difficulty.
Acquittal and Reactions
Following the acquittal, Espinoza Martinez's lawyers released a statement expressing gratitude to the jury.
They stated the jury "demanded proof, not politics" and commented that juries "see through political prosecutions" and demand "real evidence, not speculation and character assassination."
A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment. Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, offered a counterpoint:
"This verdict does not change the facts: Espinoza targeted federal law enforcement with violence via Snapchat."
Broader Context: Previous Cases and Credibility Questions
Previous federal lawsuits in Chicago have raised questions regarding DHS narratives. Approximately half of the 30 criminal cases from Operation Midway Blitz have been dismissed or dropped.
In one lawsuit involving Bovino, a federal judge determined he had lied under oath, including about alleged gang threats. In a separate failed prosecution of a Los Angeles protester, Bovino was the only witness claiming to have seen an assault on a border patrol agent, and defense lawyers suggested he was attempting to cover for the agent.