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ISP Sergeant Arrested for Sexual Assault of Woman in Midlothian
Illinois State Police Sergeant Charged with Sexual Assault: What Happened and What It Means
The Big Picture in Simple Terms
Imagine you go out for a fun night with friends. You have a few drinks. The next thing you know, you wake up hours later in your car, your clothes are messed up, and you cannot remember anything from the last nine hours. That is what happened to a woman in Tinley Park, Illinois—and now a police sergeant is in jail because of it.
Who Is Involved?
- Douglas Lee, 54 – A sergeant with the Illinois State Police. He has been an officer since 2004.
- The Victim – A woman who worked as a bartender at a bar in Tinley Park. She knew Lee because he was a regular customer.
- Cook County Prosecutors – The lawyers who bring criminal charges on behalf of the state.
- Tinley Park Police – The local police department that investigated the case.
Timeline: What Happened That Night?
Here is the sequence of events, pieced together from court records, surveillance video, and the victim’s own account.
1. The Night Begins (Around Midnight, August 1, 2025)
- The woman finishes her bartending shift at a Tinley Park bar.
- She has had several drinks during her shift.
- Lee is at the bar as a customer.
2. Moving to a Second Bar
- The woman goes with a group of female friends to another bar nearby.
- Lee joins them at the second bar.
- Prosecutors say Lee buys the woman a shot and a seltzer.
3. The Memory Gap
- The woman remembers going to the dance floor with a friend.
- After that, she remembers nothing—a complete blank.
4. Waking Up (Around 11:00 AM, August 2, 2025)
- The woman wakes up in her own car, parked in a lot.
- She is partially clothed and confused.
- Nine hours are missing from her memory.
What the Victim Found When She Woke Up
Important Details from the Scene
- Her leggings were turned inside out.
- Her bra was on the passenger seat.
- Her shirt was tucked into her jacket pocket.
- She had no idea how she got there or what happened.
The Conversation with Lee
The woman called Lee to ask what happened. According to prosecutors:
- Lee drove to the parking lot where she was.
- He told her everything was "consensual."
- He said he had taken her to a hotel.
The Evidence That Led to Charges
This case wasn’t built on just one person’s word. Prosecutors listed multiple pieces of evidence:
Text Messages
- Lee acknowledged having sex with the woman.
- He referenced the "state" she was in—meaning he knew she was impaired.
- He noted she couldn’t drive.
Hotel Records
- License plate readers and credit card records confirm Lee took the woman to the Aura Hotel in Midlothian.
- This happened shortly before 2:00 AM.
Surveillance Footage (Tinley Park Cameras)
- Video shows the woman and Lee at a water fountain.
- She tries to sit down but falls over—a sign she was very unsteady.
- Shortly after, both get into Lee’s SUV.
Medical & Forensic Evidence
- The woman went for a sexual assault examination.
- Urine test results: Positive for THC (marijuana), cocaine, and barbiturates.
- She told investigators she did not know how the cocaine or barbiturates got into her system.
- DNA testing matched Lee to a sample found on the waistband of the woman’s leggings.
What "Unable to Give Knowing Consent" Means
Key Legal Concept (Explained Simply)
In Illinois, consent must be "knowing"—the person has to understand what they’re agreeing to.
If someone is:
- Unconscious
- Too drunk or drugged to understand what’s happening
- Unable to communicate
…then they cannot legally consent to sex. Even if they don’t say "no," the law says that is not consent.
Prosecutors allege the woman was in no condition to give knowing consent—and that Lee knew it.
What Happens Next?
| Step | Status |
|---|---|
| Arrest | Completed – Tinley Park police arrested Lee after a nearly yearlong investigation. |
| Charges Filed | Criminal sexual assault. |
| Bond Hearing | Judge denied release – Lee remains in custody. |
| Internal Investigation | Illinois State Police placed Lee on administrative leave without pay. |
| Next Court Date | Tuesday (as of the article’s publication). |
Summary: The Core Facts
- A woman woke up in her car with no memory of 9 hours, partially undressed.
- She had been drinking and was seen on camera falling at a water fountain.
- Lee (an on-duty acquaintance) took her to a hotel—confirmed by license plates and credit cards.
- Texts show Lee knew she was impaired and couldn’t drive.
- Drugs she didn’t knowingly take (cocaine, barbiturates) were in her system.
- DNA links Lee to the encounter.
- Prosecutors say she could not legally consent—and Lee knew it.
- Lee is jailed, suspended without pay, and awaiting trial.
FAQ: Questions You Might Have
Was Lee on duty at the time?
No. He was off-duty, acting as a private citizen at the bars. However, he is a sworn officer, so the Illinois State Police opened an internal investigation and placed him on leave.
Why did it take nearly a year to arrest him?
Sexual assault investigations—especially those involving forensic evidence (DNA, toxicology, digital records)—often take many months. Prosecutors wanted a thorough, airtight case before charging a police officer.
If the woman drank alcohol, isn’t that her responsibility?
Voluntary drinking does not cancel the right to consent. The law is clear: if someone is too impaired to understand what’s happening, they cannot consent—regardless of how they got that way. Additionally, she tested positive for drugs she says she didn’t knowingly take.
What does "criminal sexual assault" mean in Illinois?
It is a Class 1 felony (very serious). It means sexual penetration where:
- The victim could not understand the nature of the act, OR
- The victim was unable to give knowing consent, AND
- The accused knew or should have known this.
What happens if Lee is convicted?
He could face 4–15 years in prison (or more, depending on circumstances), mandatory sex offender registration, and permanent loss of his police certification and pension.
Final Thought
This case reminds us that a badge does not place anyone above the law. It also highlights how surveillance, forensics, and digital records work together to tell a story when a victim’s memory has been taken away.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, help is available 24/7:
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault: 217-753-4117
- Local police: 911 (emergency) or non-emergency line
This article is based on public court records and news reports. Douglas Lee is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
