Full Breakdown
Illinois Veteran Sentenced to 120 Years for Kidnapping and Rape on Veterans Day
7/13/2026, 12:28:22 AM
Violent Crime on Veterans Day
On November 11, 2022, an Illinois man identified as John Dubois abducted a woman at knifepoint from a Starbucks parking lot in Collinsville. He forced her into her car, drove her to a residential area in Troy, sexually assaulted her, then returned her to Collinsville, covering her head with a coat and ordering her to count to 100 before fleeing. During the abduction, Dubois told the victim, “Do you know what today is? It’s Veterans Day,” and later claimed, “I deserve this because I’m a veteran.”
Investigation and Forensic Breakthrough
Investigators tracked the victim’s Apple Watch to locate the crime scene, where they recovered a discarded condom containing male DNA that did not match any existing database profile. Using forensic investigative genetic genealogy, prosecutors generated a list of close relatives, ultimately identifying Dubois as the suspect.
Legal Outcome
A Madison County jury convicted Dubois in May 2023. He received a 120-year prison sentence, with a mandatory minimum of 68 years before eligibility for parole. His attorneys requested a sentencing break, citing his status as a military veteran.
Official Statements & Responses
Collinsville Police Chief Brett Boerm said the sentencing “puts a monster away today” and added that while no sentence can erase the trauma, it offers “a measure of justice for a victim who endured an unimaginable ordeal.” The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office highlighted the use of genetic genealogy as a pivotal tool in securing the conviction.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I deserve this because I'm a veteran.” — John Dubois
- “Do you know what today is? It's Veterans Day,” — John Dubois
- “We put a monster away today,” — Brett Boerm, Collinsville Police Chief
- “Today's sentence brings a measure of justice for a victim who endured an unimaginable ordeal,” — Brett Boerm
The case underscores the application of advanced DNA techniques in violent crime investigations and the judicial system’s response to offenses committed under the pretense of military service.
