David Clelland, 47, has been jailed for life after raping three girls, two of whom were aged just three years old. He will not be eligible for parole for 20 years.
Crimes spanning two decades
The court heard that Clelland's crimes were committed against three young victims between 2003 and 2023. Police in Lake County, Ohio, USA, launched an investigation in March this year after a victim reported being sexually assaulted by Clelland on several occasions between 2020 and 2023.
The victim was aged between 10 and 13 years old at the time of the attacks. Clelland was charged with three counts of rape, one count of sexual battery, and five counts of gross sexual imposition.
Further victims identified
The investigation led detectives to two other victims who reported being raped by Clelland, of Painesville Township, between 2003 and 2008. They were aged between three and six years old at the time, while Clelland was between 18 and 23 years old.
He was further charged with additional counts of rape and gross sexual imposition. Clelland appeared at Lake County Common Pleas Court on September 15 and pleaded guilty to all charges.
Life sentence imposed
He was sentenced to life behind bars by Judge Vincent A. Culotta on Wednesday, October 7. Police said he will be eligible for parole after 20 years.
Lt. Larry Harpster, Detective Bureau Commander at Lake County Sheriff's Office, said: "In March of 2026 the Lake County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation of David Clelland after receiving a report from a minor female. The minor victim in this case stated she had been sexually assaulted by David on numerous occasions between 2020 and 2023 in Painesville Township.
"At the time of these offenses the minor victim had been between the ages of ten and thirteen years old. Based upon the investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau, in April of 2026 a Lake County Grand Jury indicted David on three counts of rape, one count of sexual battery, and five counts of gross sexual imposition.
"During the course of the investigation Detectives learned of two additional minor victims who reported being sexually assaulted by David. The minor victims reported being sexually assaulted by David over the course of several years between 2003 and 2008.
"At the time of these offenses both minor victims were between the ages of three and six years old. At the time of these offenses David would have been between the ages of eighteen and twenty three years old.
"Based upon the continued investigation by Detectives, in August of 2026 a Lake County Grand Jury indicted David on additional counts of rape and gross sexual imposition."
