Missouri – A Jackson County jury has ruled that Dwaine Paige qualifies as a Se*ually Violent Predator under Missouri law, clearing the way for his civil commitment to the Missouri Department of Mental Health for long-term care and treatment. The decision came on February 27, 2026, following a trial led by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her office’s Se*ually Violent Predator Unit secured the verdict after presenting evidence that Paige meets the state’s legal standards for commitment. Under Missouri statute, a person may be classified as a se*ually violent predator if they have previously been convicted of a se*ually violent offense and suffer from a mental abnormality that makes them more likely than not to commit future predatory acts of se*ual violence if not confined in a secure facility.
In a statement, Hanaway said her office remains committed to protecting residents and pursuing justice.
“My Office remains steadfast in our mission to do everything in our power to pursue justice and protect Missourians,” said Attorney General Hanaway.
“I am proud of our Se*ually Violent Predator Unit, which works hard to ensure predators, especially violent, repeat offenders, are off the streets.”
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Court records outlined Paige’s criminal history. In 1993, he was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action. Reports connected to those crimes included allegations that one of the victims was raped. Years later, while on parole in 2018, Paige was arrested on suspicion of first-degree rape. In 2021, still on parole, he committed additional offenses that led to a conviction for second-degree rape.
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During the recent trial, expert psychologists testified that Paige suffers from antisocial personality disorder and Other Specified Paraphilic Disorder involving non-consensual se*. According to their evaluations, these conditions constitute a mental abnormality that increases the likelihood of future acts of se*ual violence if he is not placed in a secure setting.
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With the jury’s finding, Paige has been ordered into the custody of the Missouri Department of Mental Health for control, care, and treatment.
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Assistant Attorneys General Paige Wheeler and Michael Schafer handled the case for the state, representing the Attorney General’s SVP Unit in the proceedings.
