CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A 26-year-old Champaign man will serve consecutive nine-year prison sentences for two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault for incidents that happened in 2024.

According to Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz, A Champaign Police investigation revealed that on March 17, 2024, at approximately 3 a.m., 26-year-old Eugene Joiner forced a female victim to perform sexual acts in a vacant residence in the 1300 block of Joanne Lane in Champaign.

The victim also reported that Joiner had threatened her with a gun. She was acquainted with Joiner, and evidence found during the investigation supported her allegations.

Then on April 18, 2024, the victim reported that Joiner had threatened her again. Police found Joiner in the area consistent with the victim’s report and took him into custody.

Initially, Joiner said he did not know the victim, but later claimed the sexual encounter was consensual. Following a jury trial on Jan. 9, 2025, he was found guilty on two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault. However, the jury found him not guilty of threatening the victim with a firearm.

On Tuesday, Judge Randall B. Rosenbaum sentenced Joiner to nine years’ incarceration in the Illinois Department of Corrections on each of the two counts, to be served consecutively for a total of 18 years. He will receive credit for the 440 days previously served.