Date: 11-14-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Terrence Donte Clay

Case Number:

Judge:

Court: The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Plaintiff's Attorney: The States United Attorney’s Office for Grand Rapids

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Grand Rapids, Michigan criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Trafficking And Sexually Exploiting A Minor
Grand Rapids Man Sentenced To 300 Months For Trafficking And Sexually Exploiting A Minor

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced that Terrence Donte Clay, 39, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for sex trafficking of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, and distribution of child pornography.

“Mr. Clay is a sexual predator who preyed on a minor victim, treated her like his property, ordered her to sell herself for sex, and has demonstrated no remorse for his actions” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “We are committed to fighting the scourge of human trafficking, including both sex and labor trafficking. I appreciate the investigative work by our law enforcement partners to hold Mr. Clay accountable and secure a measure of justice for the victim.”

Evidence introduced at trial showed that Clay met the minor victim at a park in the City of Grand Rapids in early October 2022. He had sex multiple times with the victim and ordered her to have sex with other men for money, at one point directing her to “make a sign” and “panhandle,” offering specific sex acts at set prices. After securing nude images of the minor victim, Clay advertised her online.

Police found the minor victim in a library, and she was taken to a foster home in the Upper Peninsula, while law enforcement began its investigation. Meanwhile, Clay located the minor victim and picked her up at her foster home early on the morning of November 12, 2022, without the knowledge of the foster family. Shortly after crossing south of the Mackinac Bridge, law enforcement pulled over the vehicle and found the minor victim in the car with the defendant.

“Our Human Trafficking Task Force continues to make progress in prosecutions and building relationships with area victim service providers to further enhance Kent County’s response to sex and labor trafficking,” said Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young. “It is not lost on us the impact these horrible crimes have on victims and our overall community.”

“Today’s sentencing of Terrence Clay is a decisive victory in our unyielding battle against sexual predators who prey on children,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “This outcome underscores the relentless dedication of the FBI's WEBCHEX Task Force, specifically our law enforcement partners at the Kent County Sheriff's Office, Kentwood Police Department, Forsythe Police Department, Cheboygan Sheriff’s Office, Tuscarora Township Police Department, and Michigan State Police. It is a clear reminder of the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting our communities and preventing further victimization. I also sincerely thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Michigan for their indispensable partnership in ensuring Mr. Clay is held accountable for his crimes.”

Preventing and deterring human trafficking remains a high priority for the U.S. Department of Justice. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling (888) 373-7888 or by texting “INFO” to 233733. Information is also available on the hotline website: https://humantraffickinghotline.org. The Department of Justice previously unveiled its National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, as announced in a February 1, 2022 press release.

The case was investigated by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, Kentwood Police Department, Forsythe Police Department, Cheboygan Sheriff’s Office, Tuscarora Township Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Constance Turnbull.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

Other DOJ programs and initiatives for guidance https://www.justice.gov/our-work.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 300 months in federal prison

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Defendant's Experts:

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