Sex Offender Convicted of Aggravated Rape, Other Offenses
McClinton faces the possibility of life in prison
BOSTON, August 17, 2022—A Suffolk Superior Court jury today returned guilty verdicts in the trial of a sex offender who held a woman against her will inside a McDonald’s bathroom where he raped and beat her, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
“The survivor of this assault has displayed incredible courage and strength throughout the four years that this case has been pending, and through the nearly 11 hours she spent on the witness stand being questioned by the man who violated her. I am so proud of her and grateful to the team of prosecutors, victim witness advocates, support staff and law enforcement partners who all worked to hold this serial sex offender accountable and to support the survivors he harmed,” Hayden said.
Jurors today found SHAWN McCLINTON guilty of kidnapping, aggravated rape, strangulation and three counts of assault and battery. The jury acquitted McClinton of the charges of witness intimidation, threats and a second charge of aggravated rape. He faces sentencing on August 31, at which time he faces the potential of life in prison with the possibility of parole on the offense of aggravated rape under MGL Ch. 265 Sec. 22(a).
During five days of testimony, Assistant District Attorney Michael V. Glennon presented evidence and testimony to prove that the survivor met McClinton in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Topeka Street on February 19, 2018. The survivor, McClinton and two other men traveled to a series of locations around Boston throughout the day. After the two men split from the group, McClinton and the survivor went to McDonald’s on Washington Street in Dorchester. While using the women’s restroom at the restaurant, the victim heard a knock on the bathroom door and opened it to find McClinton. He assaulted her and dragged her into the men’s restroom. He raped her, hit her repeatedly, strangled her and threatened to kill her.
The survivor was able to flee from the restroom, wearing only a ripped bra. McClinton ran after her, yelling. She was able to run back to the men’s restroom and locked the door behind her until Boston Police arrived.
McClinton faces trial in Suffolk Superior Court on a later date in connection with a case in which he is charged with rape, kidnapping and other offenses committed in August 2020, shortly after he was released on bail in the 2018 case. He was previously convicted of rape in Bristol County in 2007.
Sexual assault can happen to anyone. While the victims of any crime are asked to call 911 in an emergency, survivors of sexual violence can also call their local rape crisis center for free and confidential services and to discuss their options. Support is available for all survivors of sexual violence, regardless of whether they wish to take part in a criminal prosecution. Services by city and town can be found at www.janedoe.org/find_help/search.
In Suffolk County, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center offers a free and confidential 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center provides medical accompaniment and many other free services to victims of rape and sexual assault. Suffolk victim-witness advocates can assist in referrals to BARCC and a wide array of non-profit service providers who can offer additional support and services.
Nicole Crosta is the assigned victim witness advocate. McClinton represented himself at trial with the assistance of Attorney Jennifer Sunderland. He faces sentencing before Judge Janet Sanders at 9 a.m. on August 31 in courtroom 806 of Suffolk Superior Court.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal legal system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.