Convicted rapist sentenced to 25-30 years in state prison

BOSTON, August 31, 2022 — Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders today sentenced Shawn McClinton to 25 to 30 years in state prison for the 2018 rape of a woman in a McDonald’s bathroom, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

Sanders rejected McClinton’s request for four to five years, saying McClinton “has not shown he’s capable of living in the Commonwealth without committing crimes.”  She added: “He’s a very dangerous person…he picks his victims.”

Prosecutors said McClinton, 41, locked the victim in a Dorchester McDonald’s bathroom on February 19, 2018 and raped and beat her.  A jury last week convicted McClinton of aggravated rape, kidnapping and three counts of assault and battery.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder because of the attack.  She said her anxiety has increased and she struggles with daily panic attacks.

“I feel as if Shawn McClinton tried to take my life away,” she said. “I went from having a lot of family and friends to cutting off every single relationship I had with both family and friends.  Since the event I have really struggled to trust people.”

Hayden praised the victim for her courage in moving forward with the case, particularly her performance on the stand under cross-examination by McClinton, who represented himself.

“This survivor faced the ordeal of having to answer questions put forward by the person who victimized her. She did it with courage and grace.  These cases are always difficult for survivors, and to see this woman face hours of questioning from the man who caused her such harm, and handle herself with such courage, was inspirational,” Hayden said.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications