Two Men Convicted of Rape in South Knoxville

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Major Crimes Unit obtained convictions against two men who raped a woman at a residence in South Knoxville.  Donjae Demarco Bell, 31, was convicted at trial of two counts of Aggravated Rape.  Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on January 10 where Bell faces fifteen to twenty-five years in prison. Co-defendant Cornelius Alvino, 30, pled guilty to Rape and a separate drug trafficking case and was sentenced to serve seventeen years in prison.

In a four-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Hill and Jeannine Guzolek explained to the jury that on April 23, 2023, Knoxville Police Department Detective Ethan Grantham responded to the report of a rape at a residence on Woodlawn Pike.  The victim reported that she was at the Cotton Eyed Joe when she was approached by Bell and Alvino.  Bell, Alvino, the victim, and another female took an Uber to the residence on Woodlawn Pike.  Shortly after arriving, Bell and Alvino raped the victim.  The victim reported the rape within an hour and was taken to the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital for a sexual assault examination. 

“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,” said DA Allen. 

Aggravated Rape is a Class A felony that carries a punishment between fifteen and twenty-five years in prison without the possibility of parole.  Bell has a prior conviction for attempted home invasion out of Detroit, Michigan.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Kaitlyn Smith aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.