A St. Louis man convicted of statutory rape in 2001 is suing the Warren County sheriff and prosecutor’s office over documents he has requested under the Missouri Sunshine Law, which county officials have withheld due to their involving a minor, according to online court records.
An attorney for David E. Lay filed the petition Sept. 16 seeking an order authorizing disclosure of investigative reports, enforcement of the Sunshine Law and injunctive relief, and an order permitting disclosure of juvenile-related information.
On Sept. 5, according to the petition, Lay’s attorney sent the sheriff’s office and prosecutor’s office a written request advising that he would seek a court order to produce records relating to his 2001 criminal case. In February 2001, Lay pleaded guilty to four felony counts of second-degree statutory rape, according to online court records.
Lay had previously requested the records in 2024 but was told by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office that they could not be released without a judge’s order due to their involving a minor, according to the petition.
Lay is seeking records from the 2001 case “for use in connection with his wife’s visa application and related immigration documentation requirements,” according to the petition. He is seeking a court order “permitting disclosure of responsive juvenile-related information subject to reasonable redaction or protective conditions,” the petition notes.
Court records indicate that summons were served to the Warren County Prosecutor's Office Sept. 21, and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office on Sept.23.
Despite his statutory rape conviction, Lay is not listed in the Missouri State Highway Patrol sex offender registry. He does not appear to have any other criminal history in Missouri.
