Crime

Man denied new trial, sentenced to prison in Collinsville Starbucks rape

Timothy J. Dubois Jr., who was found guilty of sexual assault and kidnapping, sits in a Madison County courtroom beside his defense attorneys for his sentencing hearing Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Timothy J. Dubois Jr., who was found guilty of sexual assault and kidnapping, sits in a Madison County courtroom beside his defense attorneys for his sentencing hearing Thursday, July 9, 2026. Belleville News-Democrat

The man convicted of a 2022 kidnapping and rape that began at a Collinsville Starbucks was sentenced on Thursday.

Madison County Circuit Judge Tim Berkley sentenced Timothy J. Dubois Jr., 42, of Fayette County, Illinois, to 120 years in prison, with five of the years served concurrently.

Under Illinois law, the maximum amount of time Dubois may ultimately serve for the offenses is 80 years, and the minimum is 65 years. He will get credit for approximately three years of time served.

Berkeley also denied Dubois’ post-conviction motion for a new trial.

“It’s a win for law enforcement. It’s a win for Madison County public safety,” Collinsville Police Chief Brett Boerm said at a news conference after the sentencing.

The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office accused Dubois of entering a 21-year-old woman’s car armed with a knife and telling her to drive to a more remote area in Troy, where he raped her. She had been waiting for a mobile order at the Starbucks in the Collinsville Crossing shopping center on the morning of Nov. 11, 2022.

It is the Belleville News-Democrat’s policy not to name victims of sexual abuse.

Madison County Public Defender Mary Copeland speaks in court during the sentencing hearing for Timothy J. Dubois, who was found guilty of sexual assault and kidnapping and subsequently sentenced to 120 years in prison.
Madison County Public Defender Mary Copeland speaks in court during the sentencing hearing for Timothy J. Dubois, who was found guilty of sexual assault and kidnapping and subsequently sentenced to 120 years in prison. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
A box labeled “People Of The State v. Timothy J. Dubois Jr.” sits near the gallery during the sentencing hearing for Timothy J. Dubois while the defense presents arguments in the background.
A box labeled “People Of The State v. Timothy J. Dubois Jr.” sits near the gallery during the sentencing hearing for Timothy J. Dubois while the defense presents arguments in the background. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

Key evidence in the case was DNA from a discarded condom. Police found it using location data from the victim’s Apple Watch.

Investigators linked the DNA to Dubois through a commercial genetic genealogy database his relatives used to trace their ancestry. Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine described it as an “incredibly innovative” investigative technique.

Law enforcement witnesses also testified that Dubois confessed to the crime when questioned by police, and he wrote an apology letter to the victim.

Collinsville Police Chief Brett Boerm speaks to the media after the sentencing hearing for Timothy J. Dubois, who was found guilty of sexual assault and kidnapping and sentenced to 120 years in prison on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
Collinsville Police Chief Brett Boerm speaks to the media after the sentencing hearing for Timothy J. Dubois, who was found guilty of sexual assault and kidnapping and sentenced to 120 years in prison on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Madison County’s Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Buettner (left) stands outside the courtroom beside Madison County’s First Assistant State’s Attorney Ali Foley after the sentencing hearing for Timothy J. Dubois, who was sentenced to 120 years in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault and kidnapping.
Madison County’s Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca Buettner (left) stands outside the courtroom beside Madison County’s First Assistant State’s Attorney Ali Foley after the sentencing hearing for Timothy J. Dubois, who was sentenced to 120 years in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault and kidnapping. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

After about 90 minutes of deliberations May 7, the jury found Dubois guilty on 10 counts of sexual assault and kidnapping charges.

The Madison County public defenders representing Dubois said the jury should not have been allowed to see the confession video or apology letter, evidence they moved to suppress before trial.

They argued police obtained the evidence through illegal interrogations in a June 1 motion seeking a new trial.

On Thursday, Berkley rejected their argument, noting that the court already had a lengthy hearing on whether to suppress that evidence.

The victim has filed a lawsuit seeking damages from Dubois, as well as Starbucks and the Collinsville location’s owner over allegations of negligence.

BND reporter Lexi Cortes contributed information to this report.

This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 3:06 PM.

ML
Madison Lammert
Belleville News-Democrat
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