URBANA -- A homeless man convicted of robbing a woman on a city street last fall was sentenced Monday in Champaign County Circuit Court to 15 years in prison.

In late March a jury found Charles A. Watson, 61, guilty of aggravated robbery for robbing a 21-year-old woman of cash as she walked near Sixth and Green streets in Champaign on Nov. 23. The jury acquitted Watson of the more serious armed robbery charge. The victim said she believed he was carrying a gun. No gun was found when Watson was arrested.

Court records show Watson has several prior convictions dating to 1977, including robbery, attempted robbery, burglary, theft, aggravated battery and criminal damage to property.

Judge Harry Clem sentenced Watson.

In other recent sentencings and guilty pleas in Champaign County:

-- Devonzo Pye, 29, who listed an address in the 1200 block of Brookshire Drive, Rantoul, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. He admitted that on Nov. 28, he possessed a .357-caliber Ruger revolver. Because of a prior conviction for robbery, Pye may not possess a weapon.

He was arrested that day after police were called to his home for a report of shots fired. A woman there had quarreled with Pye.

A more serious charge of armed habitual criminal was dismissed in return for Pye's plea.

-- David L. Pye, 46, whose last known address was in the 3300 block of Florence Drive, Champaign, was sentenced to four years of probation for attempted disarming a peace officer and driving under revocation.

Pye pleaded guilty last fall, admitting that on June 23, he fled from Champaign police Sgt. Joe Ketchem in a car and on foot, then told Ketchem he would shoot him. When Ketchem and another officer tried to restrain Pye, he tried to pull Ketchem's gun from his holster.

Judge Tom Difanis continued Pye's initial sentencing hearing for several months while Pye was treated for mental issues and substance abuse. On Wednesday, Difanis told Pye, a multiple convicted felon, that he had made a "remarkable change" for the better.

"I'm convinced you wanted to commit suicide but wanted the police officer to do it for you," the judge said.

-- Sammy Boykins Jr., 18, who listed an address in the 2700 block of East Illinois Street, Urbana, was sentenced to six years in prison for robbery. He pleaded guilty to taking a video game player from an Urbana man in the 1500 block of East Washington Street in Urbana on Aug. 20. More serious charges of armed robbery were dismissed.

-- Thomas Shonkwiler, 37, of Tolono, was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to repay an Urbana man $12,350 for scrap metal that he stole from the man. He pleaded guilty to that Tuesday, admitting he stole the metal between Dec. 1 and Dec. 28, 2010.

On Dec. 1, 2010, Shonkwiler pleaded guilty to theft in a separate case for stealing metal gates in August 2010 from a rural Tolono man and was sentenced to two years of conditional discharge.

-- Shawn E. Rhodes, 22, who listed an address in the 400 block of North Prairie Street, Champaign, was sentenced to 30 months of probation and 100 hours of public service after pleading guilty to possession with intent to deliver cannabis. He admitted having cannabis on Jan. 29 at his apartment. Champaign police found about 2 pounds of cannabis and other packaging material there during a court-authorized search, according to police reports.

-- Jenna Drozdz, 20, who listed an address in the 100 block of North Lincoln Road, Champaign, was sentenced to two years of probation and 120 days in jail after pleading guilty to criminal trespass to vehicle.

She admitted she entered a car in the 2300 block of Aspen Drive in Champaign on Sept. 27. Four more serious charges alleging she burgled four vehicles in Champaign and Savoy were dismissed as a result of her plea.

-- Dwayne Purnell, 27, who listed an address in the 1000 block of South Smith Road, Urbana, was sentenced to five years in prison for burglary. He admitted that on Dec. 2, he entered the Walmart, 100 S. High Cross Road, U, intending to steal.

-- Keyonte Cobb, 19, of the 1700 block of Hedge Road, Champaign, was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to burglary. He admitted that he entered Campus Recreation Center East, 1102 W. Gregory Drive, U, on May 11, 2010, intending to steal.

He was also ordered to make restitution of $210 to two victims and perform 30 hours of public service. In return for his plea, other charges of burglary and theft alleging other items were stolen from CRCE last May and July were dismissed.