Beardstown man charged with first-degree murder in Friday death

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 4 recently arrested Jean C. Santiago-Nieves, 37, of Beardstown for first-degree murder.

Officers with the Beardstown Police Department responded to a 911 call on Friday, May 31, at a residence in the 1400 block of Clay in Beardstown. Upon arrival, officers found a male subject deceased in a vehicle near the residence.  The victim was later identified as Steve Dominguez, 27, of Beardstown. 

The Beardstown Police Department asked for ISP DCI Zone 4 agents to conduct a death investigation.  The suspect, Santiago-Nieves, remained on scene and was immediately taken into custody.

ISP later presented its case to the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office, and a charge of first-degree murder was approved. Santiago-Nieves was transported to the Schuyler County Jail pending his first court appearance.