Terrance Jermaine T.J. Clay, Armed Robbery Conspiracy, Illinois 2021

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Table of Contents

Armed Robbery Ring Leader Sentenced to 166 Months in Prison

A Rock Island man has been sentenced to 166 months in prison for his role in a violent armed robbery conspiracy, according to the United States Attorney’s Office. Terrance Jermaine "T.J." Clay, 44, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of robbery.

Clay and his coconspirators targeted drug dealers in the Quad Cities, using GPS monitoring devices to track their victims’ routes and habits. On November 11, 2017, Clay and his coconspirators robbed two people at gunpoint in Moline, Illinois. During the robbery, one of the guns discharged and one of the victims was pistol whipped. The group later set the victim’s car on fire in Moline.

Clay pleaded guilty in July 2021. His co-defendant, Kelsey Dwayne Bragg, was sentenced to 190 months in prison on February 16, 2021, after pleading guilty.

The penalty for conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while possession of a firearm in furtherance of robbery carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

"This case is a good example of how drug dealers plague our communities," said Acting U.S. Attorney Douglas J. Quivey. "The threat and danger is real and sophisticated. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with law enforcement to prosecute and abate the continuing problem."

The Rock Island Police Department, Scott County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Raya represented the government in the prosecution.

Clay’s sentencing marks a significant victory for law enforcement in the Quad Cities. His conviction serves as a reminder of the dangers of armed robbery and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.