By RYAN SKAITH
A 33-year-old St. Joseph man has been sentenced to four life terms in prison for a series of felony child sex abuse crimes committed over the span of a year.
Circuit Judge Terry White handed down the maximum possible sentence to Johnathan Edward Sears on four specific counts: one count of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sodomy involving a child under the age of 12.
The sentencing follows a jury trial in which Sears was found guilty of six felony charges in total. In addition to the rape and sodomy convictions, the jury found him guilty of second-degree child molestation.
The court ordered that the four life sentences be served concurrently. However, Sears will serve an additional 10 years in prison for the remaining felony counts.
The investigation into Sears began in early 2023, leading to his arrest in March. Prosecutors noted the case involved multiple victims, all of whom were under the age of 12 at the time of the abuse.