Alexander M. Owens, 54, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery for the attack at the Circle K on West Springfield Avenue. In return, the state dismissed a charge of attempted armed robbery alleging he tried to rob the clerk at knifepoint. URBANA — A Champaign man with a criminal history dating to 1980 was sentenced Tuesday to 4½ years in prison for throwing a cup of coffee on a convenience-store clerk in a botched holdup attempt. read more