“Those words do not indicate that this was a joke. Those words have meaning. They are not innocent and harmless words.”
The jury in the trial deliberated for less than four hours to decide the verdict for Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, who was facing one count of murder-for-hire. Espinoza Martinez, a reported Latin Kings gang member in the city, said in a Snapchat conversation, "2K on info cuando lo agarren. 10k if u take him down," along with a picture of Bovino. The portion that reads: "2K on info cuando lo agarren," translates to "2k on info when they catch him."
The messages had been sent to his younger brother as well as friend, who also happened to be a government informant. First Assistant US Attorney Jason Yonan told jurors during concluding arguments, “Those words do not indicate that this was a joke. Those words have meaning. They are not innocent and harmless words.”
Defense attorneys, however, said that the text was merely "neighborhood gossip" and was sent in a short exchange after he had a few beers after getting off work. “Sending a message about gossip that you heard in the neighborhood, it’s not murder for hire,” the lawyer argued. “It’s not a federal crime.”
Espinoza Martinez was arrested in October when there was a surge in federal officers to crack down on crime as well as illegal immigration. He did not testify during his trial.
He claimed during an interview with investigators that he "didn't threaten anyone" and that he was "not saying that I was telling them to do it.” At the time of the arrest, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said, “Depraved individuals like Juan Espinoza Martinez – who do not value human life and threaten law enforcement – do NOT belong in this country. We will not allow criminal gangs to put hits on U.S. government officials and our law enforcement officers."
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