Champaign man convicted of molesting 2 girls
URBANA — A Champaign man faces up to 75 years in prison when he is sentenced next month for sexually molesting two girls in 2010.
A Champaign County jury on Friday convicted Manuel Martinez, 44, who last lived in the 2000 block of Cynthia Drive, of predatory criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
The charges stemmed from acts that happened Aug. 7, 2010, at a home in Champaign where Martinez lived with the mother of one of the girls.
The mother testified that Martinez was intoxicated after having drunk beer all day on Aug. 6. She said she fell asleep on the couch and her daughter, then 11, and the daughter's cousin, then 13, were sleeping in her daughter's room on a trundle bed.
She testified that about 2:30 a.m., her daughter awoke her. The girl reported to her mother that Martinez had crawled in her bed and was licking her thighs. The mother called police and both girls were taken to Carle Foundation Hospital, where a sexual assault nurse examiner evaluated them.
The jury also heard from both girls, a Champaign police officer who took their initial reports, an expert on DNA analysis, and a tape-recorded statement from Martinez at the time of his arrest.
Martinez denied to a detective that he engaged in any sexual activity with either of the girls and said he had no recall of the activity they complained of.
The jury deliberated about 90 minutes before returning its verdicts.
Judge Heidi Ladd set sentencing for March 7. Martinez faces six to 60 years on the most serious charge of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and another four to 15 years on the criminal sexual assault. Those must be served one after the other and he will have to serve at least 85 percent of whatever sentence he receives.
Assistant State's Attorney Adam Dill prosecuted Martinez. He was represented by Public Defender Randy Rosenbaum.
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Girls Trundle Bed - News
She said she fell asleep on the couch and her daughter, then 11, and the daughter's cousin, then 13, were sleeping in her daughter's room on a trundle bed. She testified that about 2:30 am, her daughter awoke her. The girl reported to her mother that
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Trundle Bed | Champaign Man Convicted Of Molesting 2 Girls 
Trundle Bed | Champaign Man Convicted Of Molesting 2 Girls 
Trundle Bed | Champaign Man Convicted Of Molesting 2 Girls 
Trundle Bed | Champaign Man Convicted Of Molesting 2 Girls 
Trundle Bed | Champaign Man Convicted Of Molesting 2 Girls