MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Eric Clay, 28, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 18 years in federal prison for robbing two taxicab companies, one while armed, and a gas station. Clay pleaded guilty to these charges on June 5, 2019. His prison term will be followed by a five-year period of supervised release.
On Dec. 14, 2018, Clay and two accomplices robbed a Union Cab driver in Madison and several hours later they robbed a BP gas station in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The next day, Dec. 15, 2018, Clay and his accomplices robbed a Green Cab driver in Madison while armed.
During sentencing, Judge Peterson said that Clay is a dangerous person and a “lengthy prison sentence [was] warranted to protect the public." U.S. Attorney Blader expressed concern for all of Clay’s victims, and stressed that his office will continue to aggressively prosecute violent criminal offenders.
The United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin brought this case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.
The charges against Clay were the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison and Sun Prairie Police Departments. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
