On May 31, 2024, the Beardstown Police Department responded to a 911 call at a residence in the 1400 block of Clay Street in Beardstown, Illinois. Upon arrival, officers found a male subject deceased in a vehicle near the residence. The victim was later identified as 27-year-old Steve Dominguez of Beardstown.
The investigation into Dominguez's death was conducted by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 4, who were requested by the Beardstown Police Department to assist in the case. The suspect, 37-year-old Jean C. Santiago-Nieves of Beardstown, remained at the scene and was immediately taken into custody.
Santiago-Nieves was charged with first-degree murder following the investigation. The case was presented to the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the charge was approved. Santiago-Nieves was then transported to the Schuyler County Jail pending his first court appearance.
The trial of Jean C. Santiago-Nieves took place in Cass County Circuit Court and lasted for four days. During the trial, the jury reviewed over two dozen pieces of physical evidence, video and audio recordings of interviews, and testimony from over a dozen people. The evidence revealed that Santiago-Nieves shot Dominguez allegedly over an argument related to an illegal cannabis venture that Dominguez wanted to exit. Santiago-Nieves claimed in one of the recordings that he shot Dominguez in self-defense during the argument.
On August 8, 2024, a Cass County jury found Santiago-Nieves guilty on two counts of first-degree murder after deliberating for three hours. He was subsequently sentenced on October 1, 2024, to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with an additional 25 years for firearm enhancement. The sentences are to be served consecutively, totaling 45 years, and must be served at 100%. Santiago-Nieves was also given credit for 123 days served in the Schuyler County Jail after his initial arrest and was ordered to pay a county fine.
