Missouri AG Secures Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predator

Missouri AG - News

Filed February 27th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced the civil commitment of Dwaine Paige, a sexually violent predator, following a jury trial. Paige will be committed to the Department of Mental Health for control, care, and treatment due to his history of violent and sexual offenses and a diagnosed mental abnormality.

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What changed

The Missouri Attorney General's Office, through its Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Unit, has successfully secured the civil commitment of Dwaine Paige. This action follows a jury trial in Jackson County where Paige was found to meet the legal criteria for classification as a Sexually Violent Predator under Missouri law. The commitment means Paige will be placed under the care, control, and treatment of the Missouri Department of Mental Health. This case highlights the state's efforts to manage individuals with a history of violent sexual offenses and diagnosed mental abnormalities that increase their likelihood of reoffending.

This outcome demonstrates the AG's commitment to protecting Missourians by ensuring that individuals deemed sexually violent predators are confined to secure facilities. The SVP Unit's work involves identifying and pursuing civil commitment for offenders who have previously committed sexually violent offenses and currently suffer from a mental abnormality that makes them likely to re-offend. The case involved expert testimony regarding Paige's mental state, including diagnoses of antisocial personality disorder and Other Specified Paraphilic Disorder, Non-Consensual Sex. The commitment is a final determination by the court, with no immediate compliance deadline for external entities, but signifies the successful conclusion of a legal process aimed at public safety.

Penalties

Civil commitment to the Department of Mental Health for control, care, and treatment.

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Catherine L. Hanaway
Missouri Attorney General

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Catherine L. Hanaway
Missouri Attorney General

Attorney General Hanaway Obtains Commitment of Sexually Violent Predator in Jackson County

Home 9 Press Release 9 Attorney General Hanaway Obtains Commitment of Sexually Violent Predator in Jackson County JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Unit has secured the civil commitment of Dwaine Paige following a successful jury trial in Jackson County. The jury found that Paige meets the legal criteria to be classified as a Sexually Violent Predator under Missouri law, resulting in his commitment to the Department of Mental Health for control, care, and treatment.

“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 Sexually Violent Predator Unit, which works hard to ensure predators, especially violent, repeat offenders, are off the streets.”

The SVP Unit seeks the civil commitment of sexual offenders who have been previously convicted of a sexually violent offense and currently suffer from a mental abnormality which makes them more likely than not to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence again if not confined in a secure facility.

Paige has an extensive history of violence and sexual violence, involving two counts of murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action in 1993, which included reports of raping one of his victims. In 2018, while on parole, Paige was arrested for suspicion of Rape in the First Degree. In 2021, still on parole, Paige committed additional acts which resulted in a conviction of Rape in the Second Degree.

At trial, Paige was evaluated by expert psychologists who testified that he suffers from antisocial personality disorder and Other Specified Paraphilic Disorder, Non-Consensual Sex, and has a mental abnormality that makes him more likely than not to commit future acts of sexual violence if not confined to a secure facility.

On February 27, 2026, following a jury trial, Paige was found to be a Sexually Violent Predator and was ordered to be committed to the custody of the Missouri Department of Mental Health for care, control, and treatment.

The case was tried by Assistant Attorneys General Paige Wheeler and Michael Schafer.

Just as the Sexually Violent Predator Unit exemplifies the Attorney General’s Office’s commitment to protecting Missourians through dedicated and expert advocacy, the Office is proud to be home to some of the state’s most skilled attorneys. The Attorney General’s Office continues to develop legal talent whose work strengthens the rule of law and delivers justice for victims across Missouri. Attorneys interested in joining this tradition of excellence and public service are encouraged to explore current opportunities at https://ago.mo.gov/about-us/job-opportunities/.