Introduction to the Case
A federal judge Thursday more than doubled the amount of time Border Patrol boss Gregory Bovino could be questioned under oath as Bovino faced new accusations that he’d violated the judge’s order by tossing tear gas into a crowd in Little Village without justification.
Background of the Incident
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis expanded the time limits on Bovino’s upcoming deposition moments before attorneys argued the feds were “simply ignoring” an order the judge handed down earlier this month. Bovino threw “tear gas into a crowd” in a moment caught on social media video in an act that violated multiple provisions of that order, they claimed. The lawyers included a screenshot of the moment in their filing.
Recent Developments
Federal agents detained at least five people Thursday morning in Little Village — including a local high school student. Ellis earlier this month forbade agents from using gas and other “riot control” weapons without two warnings or against people who pose no immediate threat.
Judicial Response
The judge wrote in a new order Thursday that she wants to hear more about the incidents that occurred Wednesday and Thursday in Little Village during a hearing set for Nov. 5. The judge also reminded the feds of their “obligation to preserve all body-worn camera footage of any use of force incident resulting from Operation Midway Blitz.”
Details of the Incident
In a video posted on Facebook, Bovino tosses what appears to be a tear gas canister into a crowd of protesters gathered in Little Village on Thursday.
Ongoing Lawsuit
The developments all came in an ongoing lawsuit over the feds’ treatment of protesters during the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration campaign. The lawsuit was brought by media organizations such as the Chicago Headline Club, Block Club Chicago and the Chicago Newspaper Guild, which represents journalists at the Chicago Sun-Times.
Deposition Details
Ellis this week allowed the plaintiffs’ lawyers to move forward with a limited deposition of Bovino. She said it could last only two hours, and she said it would have to be limited to “how” federal officers are enforcing the law and whether they are violating people’s constitutional rights, as opposed to “why” Chicago has been targeted. But in her new order, Ellis expanded Bovino’s deposition to five hours.
Other Involved Parties
The judge has also said the plaintiffs’ lawyers could question former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Chicago Field Director Russell Hott and U.S. Border Patrol Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Daniel Parra. On Thursday, the judge said Parra and Hott could be deposed for three hours each.
Related Case
Bovino is also at the center of another high-profile case at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, in which prosecutors say Juan Espinoza Martinez, a “ranking member of the Latin Kings” street gang, put a $10,000 bounty on Bovino’s head. The feds have used the prosecution to argue that the U.S. Supreme Court should allow President Donald Trump to deploy National Guard troops within Illinois over the objection of Gov. JB Pritzker.
Trial Details
Lawyers for Martinez say he has “no prior criminal history or gang affiliation.” During a brief hearing Wednesday, defense attorney Jonathan Bedi pushed for trial as soon as possible. He told U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow that prosecutors “can’t come anywhere near sustaining their burden” to prove Martinez guilty. Lefkow set the trial for Jan. 20.
Conclusion
The case against Bovino and the related lawsuit highlight the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and protesters, and the need for accountability and transparency in the use of force by federal agents. The expansion of Bovino’s deposition and the upcoming trial of Martinez will likely shed more light on these issues and the actions of federal agents in Little Village.
FAQs
- Q: What is the lawsuit about?
A: The lawsuit is about the treatment of protesters by federal agents during the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration campaign. - Q: Who is Gregory Bovino?
A: Gregory Bovino is the Border Patrol boss who is accused of violating a judge’s order by tossing tear gas into a crowd in Little Village. - Q: What is the status of the deposition of Bovino?
A: The deposition of Bovino has been expanded to five hours, and he will be questioned about the use of force by federal agents and potential violations of people’s constitutional rights. - Q: What is the related case about?
A: The related case is about a man named Juan Espinoza Martinez who is accused of putting a $10,000 bounty on Bovino’s head. - Q: When is the trial of Martinez?
A: The trial of Martinez is set for Jan. 20.
