URBANA - A homeless man with a lengthy criminal record faces up to 30 years in prison for his latest conviction when sentenced next month.

A Champaign County jury deliberated about a half-hour Thursday before acquitting Charles A. Watson, 61, of armed robbery but finding him guilty of the less serious aggravated robbery. Aggravated robbery alleges the robber implied he had a weapon.

Judge Harry Clem set sentencing for April 25. Because of prior convictions, Watson is eligible to be sentenced as a Class X felon to between six and 30 years in prison.

The conviction stemmed from a Nov. 21 incident near Sixth and Green streets in Champaign.

Assistant State's Attorney Lindsey Clark said a 21-year-old Champaign woman was walking alone when she was approached by a man carrying what she believed was a gun covered with a hat made of animal fur. The man told her that he and his brother were hungry and needed money. He then pointed to a second person who approached her from the other side.

She gave them cash and they left.

About an hour later, Watson was found in downtown Champaign wearing a fur hat. He was identified by the victim as the man with the gun, but Clark said no gun was ever found.

Clark said Champaign police detective Robb Morris obtained videos from a Busey Bank ATM at Sixth and Green that showed both robbers and another from a convenience store at Fourth and Green. In the videos, the men can be seen switching the hat and gloves.

Several minutes after the holdup, the pair bought gin at the convenience store, Clark said.

The second robber was never located or arrested.