Clinton Thompson, 56, of Birmingham, Alabama, was sentenced on Aug. 5 to 121 months in federal prison for his role in the March 10, 2025, robbery of a Montgomery dry cleaning business. Thompson pleaded guilty on April 13 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Thomas Govan and Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Flowers with the FBI Mobile Field Office announced the sentencing.
“Violent crime has no place in our communities, and those who commit these offenses should expect substantial federal prison sentences,” said United States Attorney Govan. “This was a calculated and violent robbery that left a hardworking business owner injured and traumatized. With the sentencing of the final defendant, every member of this robbery crew has now been brought to justice. Together, the defendants received nearly 53 years in federal prison, a result that reflects the severity of their conduct and the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners.”
“Today’s sentencing of Clinton Thompson ends the final, real-life chapter of something you would only expect to find in a true crime story,” said Special Agent in Charge Flowers. “This brazen group of criminals pre-planned a robbery, then executed that plan with violence and intimidation, and stole not only the victim’s cash, but also the victim’s car. What this robbery crew did not expect was the relentless tenacity of federal, state, and local law enforcement. The FBI and our partners worked quickly and aggressively to investigate this case, and ensured these violent offenders were held accountable.”
According to court records and Thompson’s plea agreement, he joined co-defendants Zedekiah Sykes, Spirit Hooks, and Spencer Thomas during the break-in at an East South Street business where they shattered a door with a rock before confronting its owner. During the incident, Thomas brandished what appeared to be a handgun—later determined to be a BB gun—and pointed it at the victim while demanding access to a safe; Hooks struck him when he struggled with its combination, causing visible injury; approximately $8,000 was stolen along with other personal items before fleeing using zip ties on their victim.
Thompson is identified as fourth among four defendants sentenced: Sykes received 195 months on Oct. 23; Hooks received 175 months; Thomas received 144 months—both sentenced Jan. 13—with all ordered restitution totaling $9,598.74 payable jointly by all parties involved.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Montgomery Police Department (MPD), Alabama Law Enforcement Agency State Bureau Investigation (ALEA SBI), Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit (MACS), assisted by Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Feil.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration influences as well as transnational criminal organizations.