Charges filed in Aurora's first 2008 homicide

Aurora police and the Kane County state's attorney's office have charged two men they say are connected to an Oct. 1 homicide on the city's near east side stemming from an apparent drug deal gone bad.

Juan R. Herrera, 28, of Prescott, Wis., has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 28-year-old Chicago resident Hector Valtierrez, authorities said Wednesday.

Herrera also has been charged with armed violence and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

A second man, Ernesto V. Acosta, 42, of the 600 block of North Root Street, has been charged with unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.

Spokesman Dan Ferrelli said police believe the shooting occurred after Valtierrez attempted to steal a large amount of cocaine from Herrera and Acosta about 6:50 p.m. Oct. 1 while inside Acosta's home.

"These gentlemen obviously had the intention of making a drug transaction of some sort," Ferrelli said Wednesday. "But it didn't go as planned."

A gunfight ensued between Valtierrez and Herrera with both men suffering wounds.

Valtierrez was pronounced dead at the scene. Herrera was shot in his shoulder and groin before fleeing the residence.

Ferrelli said once outside, Herrera flagged down a passing car and convinced the driver to drop him off at Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora.

Acosta ran to the home of a relative in the 600 block of North Lincoln Avenue where he was arrested without incident later that night.

As police processed the Root Street home for evidence, Ferrelli said they found a large amount of cannabis packaged for distribution. They also recovered a kilo of cocaine which they believe was the target of the drug deal.

Ferrelli said there were numerous children and two adult females in the home at the time of the incident but they all were on the second floor and unharmed.

Ferrelli said each of the three men involved had "multiple aliases."

"A considerable amount of resources were expended in a quick period of time attempting to confirm the true identity of each of the three men," he said.

The investigation is ongoing and police are continuing to pursue leads.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (630) 801-6655 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000. Callers to

Crime Stoppers callers may remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to additional arrests.