Drug Dealer Charged With OD Death of Batavia Man, 21

BATAVIA, IL — The Chicago drug dealer accused of providing fentanyl-laced heroin to a 21-year-old Batavia man, which lead to his overdose death last May, has been charged with drug-induced homicide, authorities said Thursday. Alejandro Junco was booked at the Kane County Jail Wednesday and remains in custody on a $750,000 bail, according to jail records.

Authorities said Junco admitted to providing fentanyl to Daniel P. Mate on several occasions, including on May 23, 2018 — the date Mate was found unresponsive and unconscious in a home in the 600 block of Evergreen Drive in Batavia, according to a news release from the Kane County Sheriff's Office. When deputies arrived at the scene at 5:15 p.m., they determined Mate had died of an overdose.

A Kane County Coroner's report indicated heroin-fentanyl intoxication lead to Mate's death. Authorities interviewed family members and Mate's girlfriend — who were all at the scene, according to the news release. Authorities learned Mate had been with a female friend that morning. That friend told investigators she drove Mate to the south side of Chicago and gave him money to buy heroin from a drug dealer they knew only as "Ollie or "Alejandro."

During the investigation, authorities gathered evidence that showed Alejandro Junco was the identity of the drug dealer, according to the news release. In interviews with police, Junco admitted to providing the heroin, which he knew was laced with fentanyl, to Mate on May 23, 2018 and several times before that.

Junco is next expected in court on Aug. 2.

The investigation into Mate's death was lead by the Kane County Heroin Task Force, which included investigators from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Batavia Police Department, Geneva Police Department, South Elgin Police Department, Chicago Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

A GoFundMe set up to help Mate's family raise money for his funeral has raised more than $5,400 in the past 14 months. Mate is remembered as a "kind, loving young man who loved his job washing pets."

"His family is deeply devastated," according to the GoFundMe.

For any of the Sheriff’s addiction and employment support programs, the public may call 630-232-8400, text AWAYOUT to 847411, or visit their website at KaneSheriff.com