Massachusetts level 3 sex offender released on bail through fund, arraigned on new sexual assault charges

BOSTON— A Level 3 sex offender recently released on bail in a violent 2018 rape was arraigned this week on new sexual assault charges, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said.

Shawn McClinton, 39, was arraigned in the Dorchester division of Boston Municipal Court on charges of aggravated rape, kidnapping for the purpose of sexual assault, strangulation and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Assistant District Attorney Michael V. Glennon requested that McClinton be held on $250,000 bail and that his bail be revoked in the 2018 sexual assault case, which remains pending in Suffolk Superior Court. Judge Lisa Grant imposed $500,000 bail and revoked McClinton’s open bail.

According to a District Attorney press release, prosecutors told the court that McClinton met the victim Tuesday evening, and the two traveled together from Quincy to a location in Dorchester. When the victim attempted to leave on Wednesday morning, McClinton allegedly held the victim against her will and raped her at knife point. The victim suffered injuries, including lacerations and bruising, in the attack but was able to flee. A concerned passerby observed her injuries and called 911.

“This individual has violently and sexually assaulted women and children in the past. His release on July 15th allowed him the opportunity to sexually assault and harm again. And unfortunately, he did. I’m grateful to Boston Police sexual assault detectives and my prosecutors and advocates for providing compassionate support to the survivor of McClinton’s most recent sexual assault, and for their work helping hold the alleged attacker accountable for these reprehensible acts,” District Attorney Rollins said.

McClinton had been held on $15,000 bail since his arrest February 19, 2018, on charges of kidnapping and two counts each of aggravated rape and assault and battery. He was released on July 15, 2020, when $15,000 was posted by the Massachusetts Bail Fund.

“According to its website, the Massachusetts Bail Fund’s stated mission is to ‘Free Them All’ and provide bails of up to $2,000 in Essex, Suffolk and Worcester Counties. These bails are often posted for low-level, misdemeanor offenses which end up punishing poor people and not serving any legal or public safety purpose,” District Attorney Rollins said. “However, aggravated rape, kidnapping for the purpose of sexual assault, strangulation and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon are not low-level misdemeanors. They are violent felonies. And the person they bailed out is a sexual predator that hurts and rapes women and children. The Bail Fund posted $15,000 and set McClinton loose on our community. They don’t care that he is a Level 3 sex offender. They don’t care that he has raped women and children before. They have no responsibility to or compassion for the victims and survivors of his crimes, or the families that he has destroyed. I do. And my office will do the hard work of getting his latest victim all of the treatment and services she needs. We will be with her throughout the entire legal process and beyond.”

The Massachusetts sex offender registry shows that McClinton was convicted of rape in July of 2007 and of raping and abuse of a child in June of 1994.

The case returns to court September 4, 2020.