Third defendant gets 25 years in fatal stabbing of Wheaton man during West Chicago party

An Aurora man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after beating and fatally stabbing a Wheaton man after a dispute at a party in West Chicago, according to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Jonathan Jimenez, 21, pleaded guilty Thursday to first-degree murder, the release stated. Judge Daniel Guerin handed down the sentence.

Jimenez was one of three charged in connection with the 2013 death of 22-year-old Thomas Tecuatl, according to the release.

Between midnight and 1 a.m. Nov. 17 the trio attended a party on Pomeroy Street near Route 59, at which Tecuatl was also present, the release stated.

A conflict occurred at the party and Tecuatl pulled a knife, according to the release. He then left the party and was chased by several people, including Jimenez and his co-defendants, Alejandro Martinez and Anthony Rios, both 19 and of West Chicago.

Jimenez, Martinez and Rios are reputed members of the Satan Disciples gang, and Tecuatl was thought to be affiliated with the Surenos 13 gang.

Some involved in the chase armed themselves with items including a pickax, pipe, bricks and bottles, the release stated.

As Tecuatl fled, he slipped and fell on the wet pavement, at which time the three began beating him, according to the release. While he lay on the street, Jimenez took Tecuatl's knife and fatally stabbed him, before the trio returned to the party.

A resident contacted police after finding Tecuatl's body at about 6:45 a.m. on his front lawn, the release stated.

Martinez and Rios both pleaded guilty to one count of armed violence, and were sentenced by Guerin last month to 14 and 17 years in prison, respectively, according to the release.

“It is my sincerest hope that with Mr. Jimenez's admission of guilt and sentencing, the family and friends of Mr. Tecuatl will now be able to find some measure of closure in this horrible chapter in their lives,” said State's Attorney Robert Berlin in the release.

Jimenez must serve 100 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole, the release stated. He will receive credit for 502 days spent in custody.