HECTOR MOYA SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

              DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that Hector Leon Moya (d.o.b.  12/2/74) entered a plea of guilty today to three counts of first degree murder in connection with the drug related shooting deaths of Frederico Torrez (d.o.b. 7/24/68) of Mexico; Guillermo Armendariz (dob: 5/25/68) of Mexico; and Halirio Ochoa-Ornelas (d.o.b. 1/24/79) of Texas on September 12, 2004 in Willowbrook, Illinois.  Moya agreed to a sentence of natural life in prison. 

             The shootings took place in a parking lot outside of a restaurant as the victims sat in their vehicle.  Moya had been dropped off by an otherwise innocent driver who left before the shooting began.  The murders were witnessed by a Willowbrook police officer who happened to be in the area and who, along with fellow officers, gave chase following the shooting.  Moya was caught shortly after the shooting on foot but still fully armed.  Moya, despite being fully armed, did not pull his weapon on the police and was taken into custody following a brief physical confrontation.

             State’s Attorney Birkett had filed an intention to seek the death penalty against Moya.  Pursuant to capital litigation policy, State’s Attorney Birkett met with Moya’s defense team who indicated Moya’s willingness to provide information regarding drug trafficking and the circumstances that led to these drug related murders, as well as unsolved crimes in both the United State’s and Mexico, including murders.  Working with the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the Willowbrook Police Department, Moya provided information over a period of five months, which was sufficiently corroborated. 

             Family members of the deceased were advised of today’s disposition by Assistant State’s Attorneys.  While the families would have preferred the death penalty, they understood the importance of the information Moya provided to the ongoing war on drugs. 

             State’s Attorney Birkett and Willowbrook Police Chief Edward Konstanty praised Willowbrook police officer Robert Schaller and Burr Ridge police officer Luke Vulpo for their heroic efforts in capturing Moya without further loss of life.  Birkett also praised Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Marchese, DEA Agents, Willowbrook detectives, and the DuPage County Sheriff’s Crime Lab and evidence technicians for their outstanding work in this case.

             Moya had no known prior convictions, but because of his willing participation in the international drug trafficking that plagues our countries he will be deprived of liberty until the day he dies.

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