Man convicted of sexually attacking woman

BELLEVILLE— A southwestern Illinois man faces up to 74 years in prison now that he’s been convicted of sexually attacking a woman outside an East St. Louis bar.

A St. Clair County jury deliberated about seven hours before finding 18-year-old Christopher Willis of East St. Louis guilty of two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Prosecutors say Willis sexually attacked the Cahokia woman at gunpoint on July 26 of last year. Lawmen working an anti-crime initiative heard the victim calling for help and arrested Willis within minutes.

Each assault count is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and the abuse count up to seven years. Prosecutors say they’ll press on Nov. 9 for the sentences to be served consecutively.