KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Two men were convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman in South Knoxville, the Knox County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.
After a four-day trial, 31-year-old Donjae Demarco Bell was found guilty of two counts of aggravated rape, the DA's office said.
Cornelius Alvino, a 30-year-old, pleaded guilty to rape and a separate drug trafficking charge. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison, according to the DA's Office.
The assault happened on April 23, 2023, when Bell and Alvino approached the victim at the Cotton Eyed Joe nightclub near Farragut. The victim, Bell, Alvino and another female took an Uber to a home on Woodlawn Pike, where the rape took place, the DA's Office said.
The victim reported the crime within an hour and underwent a sexual assault examination at a hospital, according to the DA's Office.
“I know how difficult it was for the victim to come forward and testify, but these offenders are being held accountable because of her bravery,” DA Charme Allen said.
Bell has a prior conviction for an attempted home invasion in Detroit. His sentencing is on Jan. 10, the DA's Office said.