One of the four teens arrested in connection with the 2023 murder of 32-year-old Gabriel Villanueba was sentenced to more than 30 years in prison on Tuesday.

Santiago Dominguez, now 20, faced a handful of felonies related to the murder. After pleading not guilty in August 2024, Dominguez took his case before a jury. The six-day trial wrapped up on July 17, with the jury returning a guilty verdict on the second-degree murder charge, in addition to one count each of aggravated robbery and motor vehicle theft.

According to previous reporting from The Gazette, prosecutors believe that Dominguez, who was 18 at the time, Ali Talib, 20, and two juveniles aged 15 and 13 at the time broke into Villanueba’s apartment off 19th Street on the city’s west side in an attempt to steal his gun after Villanueba and Dominguez got into an altercation at a party the previous evening. Dominguez was the accused triggerman.

Judge Marcus Henson heard over an hour of emotional victim impact and character statements before sentencing Dominguez to 30 years in prison each for both the murder and the aggravated robbery charge, to run concurrently. For the motor vehicle theft charge, Dominguez received four years in prison to run consecutively to the other counts.

The sentence was less than the prosecution’s request of 40 years in the Department of Corrections, but still more than the defense’s asking of 20 years.

Several friends and family members of Villanueba’s took to the stand to deliver emotional victim impact statements, often given through tears and shaky breaths.

Ashley Martinez, one of Villanueba’s siblings, called her brother an “angel” who was also her best friend growing up, as the pair were only 11 months apart in age.

“All I have are stories and pictures to show my boys. They’ll never get to meet their funny, creative, intelligent, one-of-a-kind uncle,” Martinez said. “I miss my brother and I still cry for him…he will always remain in my heart.”

Lorraine Olivas, Villanueba’s mother, pleaded with Henson for all the charges to be consecutive sentences. Olivas recalled the “loud screams and cries” she let out when she received the phone call, calling it the hardest loss of her life.

“The hardest thing is waking up in the morning because I have to remember my son is gone,” Olivas said. “I still pick up the phone to call him, then I realize he’s no longer here and I will never hear his voice again.”

In addition to requesting a sentence of 40 years behind bars, the prosecution also informed the court it was seeking more than $18,000 in restitution.

Dominguez’s friends and family members also spoke to the courtroom and several letters were read aloud by the defense.

Aprilann Jones, one of Dominguez’s aunts, asked Henson to show her nephew mercy in sentencing.

“I want you to know if he is given the second chance to prove that he is regrettably sorry and allowing him to prove he can make a difference, that I am here to support him in any way possible,” Jones said.

Swan Dominguez spoke about how he wished he had pushed his son harder when he started drinking more. In his statement to the court, he expressed how he felt as though he “failed” his son, and if he could go back in time, he would.

“Your honor, if Santiago gets his second chance at time, I will not fail my son ever again,” Swan Dominguez said. “I’m just asking for grace.”

Statements made by those in the courtroom revealed Dominguez recently had a son, and many of those who took the stand on his behalf spoke highly about his role as a father.

During his argument for a lower sentence, defense attorney Joshua Tolini said Dominguez has great potential for rehabilitation.

“His brain is not developed, and he is not the person who committed this act,” Tolini said. “In 10-15 years, he’s going to be a totally different person, too.”

Dominguez himself gave a short statement in which he expressed “sincere condolences” to the family.

“There is no denying that this case involves the loss of a loved father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin. A talented, caring, giving, wonderful human being. There is no disputing it,” Henson said ahead of sentencing. “The sad thing is that the case also involves another beloved father, son, uncle, cousin, in the place of the defendant.”

Talib, one of the other defendants in the case, appeared in court on Tuesday for a review hearing as competency concerns continue. No trial dates have been set. His next appearance in a 4th Judicial District courtroom is scheduled for Dec. 2.

The status of the cases against the 15- and 13-year-old juveniles is unknown at the time of writing.

Gazette reporter Grace Brajkovich contributed to this report.