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St. Joseph Man Sentenced to Multiple Life Terms for Child Abuse

Monday, February 2, 2026 at 6:21 AM

A Buchanan County judge has sentenced 33-year-old Johnathan Edward Sears to four concurrent life sentences plus an additional 10 years for the sexual abuse of a child. The sentencing follows a December jury trial where Sears was found guilty of six felony charges, including first-degree rape and sodomy, occurring over a 13-month period. Though the…

A Buchanan County judge has sentenced 33-year-old Johnathan Edward Sears to four concurrent life sentences plus an additional 10 years for the sexual abuse of a child. The sentencing follows a December jury trial where Sears was found guilty of six felony charges, including first-degree rape and sodomy, occurring over a 13-month period. Though the defense previously raised questions regarding his mental competency, Sears was found fit for trial and will now serve his sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

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