On September 18, 2026, State’s Attorney Jacqueline M. Lacy and Assistant State’s Attorneys
Daniel Reynolds and Jake Klein, obtained a natural life sentence in prison for Quartez Jackson
(DOB: 3/30/1999), formerly of Danville, Illinois, for the 2024 murder of 35-year-old Joseph A.
Jones, also of Danville. Judge Mark S. Goodwin sentenced Jackson after he was found guilty of
First Degree Murder by a Vermilion County Jury on May 21, 2026.
The People presented evidence that on December 21, 2024, Danville Police responded to a call
of multiple shots fired and a gunshot victim in the area of Williams Street in Danville. Officers
located Joseph A. Jones, who had suffered 8 gunshot wounds, including one shot to the head.
Witness statements provided information that a white sedan had fled the scene at a high rate of
speed, and the victim was heard calling for help. Police received reports that the vehicle returned
to the scene and the witness heard additional shots fired, then saw the male shooter running from
the scene on foot. Surveillance cameras in the area captured the vehicle departing the scene,
returning shortly thereafter, and departing the scene a second time.
During argument, State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said, “This defendant deserves a life sentence
in prison because he executed Joseph Jones, a 35-year-old, unarmed man, in the street. This
wasn’t just a murder. This was an execution to silence the victim and then the defendant’s plan to
manipulate, intimidate and coerce those around him went into place so that he could try to
exonerate himself.”
During a victim impact statement, victim Joseph Jones’sister stated to the defendant, “I want
you to understand that your actions did not just take Joseph from us. They changed all of our
lives forever.” She added, “I am asking for justice – not because a sentence can bring my brother
back, but because his life mattered.”
Prior to handing down the sentence to natural life in prison, Judge Mark S. Goodwin described
the murder as “savage, unrestrained, violent activity.”
