URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) — An Urbana man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in connection with a violent domestic stabbing that seriously injured his wife last year.
Rafael Magdaleno-Mendoza entered his guilty plea in Champaign County court on April 22 and was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections. He received credit for 353 days already served in custody.
The case stemmed from an incident on May 4, 2025, at a home on Gurth Drive in Urbana. Prosecutors said the confrontation began during a domestic dispute involving accusations of infidelity.
According to court records, Magdaleno-Mendoza threatened to kill his wife, another woman, and himself before attacking his wife with a kitchen knife. Authorities said the victim suffered cuts to her hand and wrist before being stabbed in the chest.
With the guilty plea, aggravated criminal sexual assault with a threat toward life, aggravated criminal sexual assault with a weapon, and aggravated domestic battery charges were dismissed.
The victim’s injuries were severe enough to require surgery. Prosecutors also said Magdaleno-Mendoza attempted to conceal his involvement by changing clothes and initially telling investigators he was not home when the incident occurred.