Man faces sexual assault charges
URBANA — A Champaign man accused of sexually assaulting a woman he knows in his home is due back in court Dec. 20 on three felony counts.
Jeffrey Hill, 22, of the 600 block of South James Street, was charged Thursday with aggravated criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual assault for allegedly raping a woman in his home early Wednesday morning.
Assistant State's Attorney Duke Harris said the woman used to date Hill and had gone to his home to spend the night after arguing with her parents.
Harris said about 4 a.m. Wednesday, Hill allegedly sexually assaulted the woman, holding on to her neck so hard during the assault that her neck was bruised.
Hill admitted to Champaign police that he had sex with the woman but said it was consensual.
Because of prior convictions for burglary and domestic battery, the latter involving two different victims than in this case, Harris asked for a high bond for Hill.
Judge Richard Klaus set his bond at $250,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the woman or her address. If convicted of all the counts, Hill faces a potential prison term of up to 60 years.
There are two sides to every story, I hope the News Gazette follows the this through the investigation. This young man will have to sit in jail until December 20th and if, by chance, he's innocent then what? Is there a program in place to assist with reintegration back into society after he has most likely lost his job, his friends and reputation? I am not defending rapists, but I would like to believe that we are innocent until proven guilty.
Furthermore, is our court system so backed up that taxpayers have to foot the bill for someone to sit in jail 2 months before his next court appearance?
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