A Villa Park man was sentenced Tuesday to 18 years in prison for his convictions in two separate cases involving illegal firearm possession and a violent home invasion in Wheaton.
Timothy Jackson, 32, a convicted felon, received the sentence during a hearing before Judge Margaret O’Connell. The sentencing follows Jackson’s guilty verdicts in two trials held earlier in 2024.
On Dec. 11, Jackson was convicted in a bench trial of two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon stemming from a 2020 incident at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Wheaton. On July 26, a jury found Jackson guilty of aggravated unlawful restraint and two additional counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon in connection with a violent 2021 home invasion in Wheaton.
Incident Details
The first case originated on Jan. 8, 2020, when Jackson was found in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm pistol while inside a 7-Eleven store in Wheaton. He was charged and later released after posting 10% of a $75,000 bond.
While out on bond, Jackson broke into the home of his former girlfriend on Oct. 22, 2021, in the 700 block of West Childs Street. Authorities said Jackson held the woman at gunpoint and threatened to kill her before fleeing the scene.
Police later determined Jackson was staying at a residence in Wheeling. On Dec. 17, 2021, officers observed him leaving the home. After a brief foot chase at a gas station, Jackson was taken into custody.
Prosecutor’s Statement
“Mr. Jackson is a convicted felon and as such has forfeited his right to ever legally possess a firearm,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin. “The fact that Mr. Jackson continued to illegally possess a weapon, even while out on bond for unlawful possession of a weapon, demonstrates his complete lack of respect for the rule of law. To make matters worse, Mr. Jackson used his illegally possessed gun to hold his former girlfriend against her will. Judge O’Connell’s sentence today sends a strong message that in DuPage County, we respect the rule of law and will not tolerate those who choose to ignore it.”
Sentencing Details
Jackson will serve eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the 7-Eleven firearm possession case and 10 years for the Childs Street home invasion. The sentences will run consecutively, totaling 18 years.
