Man Charged With Fleeing To Mexico To Avoid Murder Rap
CHICAGO (STMW) - A Northwest Side man accused of killing a former roommate during a heated argument earlier this year was named in a federal criminal complaint on Thursday for allegedly fleeing to Mexico to avoid murder charges.
Ernesto Montoya-Hernandez, of the 4600 block of North Avers Avenue, is charged with traveling in interstate commerce to avoid prosecution for the felony of first-degree murder, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.
Montoya-Hernandez is wanted in the April 23 murder of Juan Mendez, an acquaintance and former roommate of his, the affidavit said.
The murder was witnessed by several people who were personally acquainted with both Mendez and Montoya-Hernandez. Those witnesses identified Montoya-Hernandez to police as the person who shot and killed Mendez in the midst of a heated argument, the affidavit said.
Efforts undertaken by Chicago Police to find Montoya-Hernandez have been unsuccessful, although family members and friends of his believe he fled the U.S. to his hometown of Rosamorada, Nayarit, Mexico, the affidavit said.
The Cook County State's Attorney's office will extradite Montoya-Hernandez when he is found, the affidavit said.
According to his arrest warrant, Montoya-Hernandez was ordered held on $500,000 bond on April 26. He is 5-foot-9, 170 pounds. He is Hispanic and has a medium build. His nickname is "Camacho."
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