Clinton Man Sentenced to Life

Lucas Santellano, 28, of Clinton, Missouri has been sentenced to life in prison. He pled guilty to three counts of statutory rape in the second degree. He was further found to be a predatory sex offender.  

Prosecuting Attorney, LaChrisha Gray, prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Missouri. 

In 2023, Santellano was discovered with a young teenage girl. It was later determined that sexual conduct had occurred on multiple occasions.

On November 5, 2024, Santellano entered a plea of guilty to the underlying counts of statutory rape in the second degree. The defendant disputed the State’s allegation that he was a predatory sex offender based on prior acts of sexual assault.

The Court heard evidence regarding the prior acts of the defendant and argument from both parties. The Court at a subsequent date found the defendant to be a predatory sex offender. The final sentencing hearing was completed on April 25, 2025.

Santellano was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the counts, with a minimum sentence of seven years on each count prior to being eligible for parole, which was the maximum allowed by law. The sentences will run concurrently to each other, but consecutive to a sentence imposed in another matter. When he is paroled by the Missouri Department of Corrections, he will be subject to lifetime supervision and sex offender registration.