DNA tests confirm KC man may have been behind years-old sexual assaults

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The man believed to be behind multiple rapes reported years ago in Kansas City has finally been charged after a series of DNA tests confirmed his connection.

Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Tuesday, March 18, indicate that Peytrien L. McClenton, 34, of Kansas City, has been charged in connection to the crimes.

A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City Police Department revealed that around 12:15 a.m. on Sept. 25, 2020, emergency crews were called to an area home with reports of a sexual assault. When they arrived, they found the victim only covered with a blanket.

The victim reported she had met McClenton at a liquor store earlier that night. The pair returned to the home she shared with her father when an argument ensued. Ultimately, the victim’s father left the house.

Investigators indicated after the victim’s father left, McClenton repeatedly pistol-whipped her before he proceeded to rape her. Eventually, he told her to wait for half an hour before she could leave the room, when she did, he was gone.

Law enforcement officials noted that when the victim attempted to tell her father of the crime, he blamed her and refused to call the police. So, she ran to a nearby gas station. She suffered multiple scratches and lacerations on her head and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Investigators said that when they tried to the victim’s father, he refused to speak with them. Several attempts were also made to McClenton, those efforts were also unsuccessful.

On April 28, 2022, KD said McClenton was named as the suspect in a separate rape report. The DNA collected from both investigations confirmed the suspect had been the same perpetrator.

Finally, in December 2024, law enforcement officials said McClenton was arrested in connection with resistance to a lawful stop. A DNA swab was collected and matched to both rape cases.

As a result, McClenton has been charged with two counts of sodomy, rape and assault. If convicted, he could spend up to life in prison. As of Wednesday, March 19, he remains behind bars on a $500,000 bond.

An initial appearance has been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 20. No further information has been released.

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