MONTGOMERY, AL – A Montgomery dry cleaning business owner faced a terrifying ordeal in March, and the fallout is continuing. Two men have now admitted their roles in the brazen robbery, while two more are facing federal charges, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced today. The incident, which left the victim bruised and shaken, highlights the ongoing struggle against violent crime in the state.
Spencer Thomas, 67, of Prattville, Alabama, entered a guilty plea on September 10, 2025, to one count of Hobbs Act robbery. This carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He joins Zedekiah Sykes, 58, of Montgomery, Alabama, who previously pleaded guilty to the same charge. Sentencing dates for both men are pending.
The Justice Department is also moving forward with charges against Spirit Hooks, 51, and Clinton Thompson, 55, both of Birmingham, Alabama, alleging they were accomplices in the robbery. According to court records, the quartet smashed their way into the business on East South Street on March 10, 2025, shattering the front door with a rock. Inside, they confronted the owner, forcing him into an office where a safe was located.
The situation quickly escalated. One of the intruders brandished what appeared to be a handgun – later revealed to be a BB gun – and demanded the victim open the safe. When the owner struggled to remember the combination, he was struck in the left eye, resulting in visible bruising and swelling. The group eventually gained access, stealing approximately $8,000 in cash. But they didn’t stop there.
Before fleeing the scene, the robbers zip-tied the victim’s hands and feet, and stole his cell phone and car keys. They then made off with the victim’s vehicle, adding vehicle theft to the list of charges. This wasn’t just a robbery; it was a calculated act of violence and intimidation, leaving the victim traumatized and his business vulnerable.
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Montgomery Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and the Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Task Force, with support from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Paul Markovits is prosecuting the case, which is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, cartels, and violent crime by streamlining resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). An indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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