Man from Missouri gets 16 life sentences for serial rapes

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) – A 23-year-old Missouri man charged with raping eight teenage girls has been given 16 consecutive life sentences.

Dominic Yocco was sentenced Thursday in St. Louis County for 16 counts, including nine counts of rape.

He was subject to a life sentence because jurors in September found him to be a predatory sexual offender.

Prosecutors said Yocco contacted the girls using social media.

He then gave them alcohol and drugs before assaulting them.

Yocco was 17 and 18 when the attacks occurred between 2016 and 2018.

The girls were 16 and younger.

Yocco read a statement denying that he had done anything wrong.