SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — On Wednesday, a Sangamon County Jury found a former Springfield man guilty of six counts of sexual abuse against two girls, aged nine and 11-years-old at the time of the offense.

Ricardo A. Black of Florissant, Missouri, formerly of Springfield, has been found guilty of four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Evidence presented at trial showed that Black was the boyfriend of a Springfield woman with two minor daughters and that between late 2020 and Feb. 2021, Black sexually assaulted and abused the children who were nine and 11-years-old at the time of the offense.

Black is now scheduled for sentencing before Chief Judge Ryan Cadagin on Aug. 20. He faces a minimum sentence of 27 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Cadagin ordered Black into custody following the guilty verdict where he will remain pending sentencing.

“Two children in our community bravely disclosed abuse they were suffering at the hands of a trusted adult,” State’s Attorney John Milhiser said. “This case highlights the unfortunate reality that children are often abused by caregivers inside the home.”

This case was prosecuted by Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office Child Protection Division Chief Kendra Hansel and Assistant State’s Attorney Nick Bailey in coordination with the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center and the Springfield Police Department.

“We endeavor to protect all children in need through aggressive prosecution of these crimes,” Milhiser said. “Investigations of child sexual abuse require a multi-faceted approach and we appreciate the hard work of the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center and the Springfield Police Department for empowering these two young ladies to come forward and holding this offender accountable.”