DHS: Arrest Made After Bounty Allegedly Placed on Border Patrol Chief

The Department of Homeland Security announced the arrest of Juan Espinoza Martinez, a suspected criminal illegal immigrant and alleged Latin Kings member, after authorities say he solicited a bounty on U.S. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino. A confidential tip on October 3, 2025, alerted investigators that a “hit” had been ordered; Espinoza Martinez was taken into custody on October 6 in Burr Ridge, Illinois, and has been charged by the Department of Justice with soliciting the murder of a senior federal law enforcement official.

HSI Chicago investigators say they received a Snapchat screenshot from a user named “Juan” offering $2,000 for information “cuando lo agarren” (“when they catch him”) and $10,000 “if you take him down,” with a third reply reading “LK….on him,” which the DHS press release linked to the Latin Kings. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the alleged plot, calling Espinoza Martinez a “thug” who “does not value human life,” and said federal partners acted to remove the threat.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem warned that federal officers have been targeted with bounties by “gangs, cartel members, and known terrorist organizations,” calling the trend “unprecedented.” Speaking on Fox & Friends Weekend, Noem described a related violent incident in Chicago in which agents were reportedly cornered by a caravan of vehicles, came under attack with firearms, and had to defend themselves; one attacker was hospitalized.

Noem said intelligence shows organized efforts to identify and target officers, including distribution of photos and reward offers ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. DHS officials emphasized prosecutions and protective measures for agents, asserting that those threatening law enforcement will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law.