Audrain County man sentenced 10 years for raping teenager

ST. LOUIS (KMIZ)

A Mexico, Missouri, man was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in federal prison for raping a 13-year-old, according to a Wednesday press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to the Department of Justice, Jacob Burney, 24, admitted to raping the teenager after the teen ran away from home in 2021. He pleaded guilty in January to transportation of a minor to engage in a criminal sex act.

In a plea agreement, the suspect said he gave the teenager alcohol and drugs before raping them. Burney switched vehicles and left Missouri to prevent law enforcement officers from finding the teen. They traveled to Illinois and then Las Vegas.

Before Dec. 8, 2021, the victim ran away from home to be with Burney, according to a press release. The teen was reported missing, and Homeland Security Investigations received a National Hotline Tip on Dec. 14, 2021, about the missing teen.