A federal jury has found Tony Clanton, also known as "Tone," guilty on all counts of a superseding indictment. The charges include Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and use of firearms during crimes of violence. These charges stemmed from a series of armed robberies and attempted robberies in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and New Jersey. The verdict came after a six-day trial led by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto. Clanton faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years to life imprisonment.
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York John J. Durham, along with Terence G. Reilly, Acting Special Agent in Charge at the FBI’s Newark Field Office, and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, announced the verdict.
"Over a six-month period, Clanton directed a cruel and violent spree in New York City and New Jersey that left terrorized robbery victims in his wake, including two children who watched as their parents were shot at or menaced with guns," stated United States Attorney Durham. "Thanks to exceptional investigative work by the FBI and the NYPD, the defendant was identified, apprehended, and rightly convicted today by jurors who were presented with a mountain of evidence that demonstrated his crime wave and overwhelmingly proved his guilt."
Durham also expressed gratitude to the Edison, New Jersey Police Department for their assistance.
FBI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Reilly said, "Tony Clanton is a serial violent criminal who has gone to great lengths to terrorize his victims in the pursuit of monetary gain. The FBI won’t rest until violent organized criminals are taken off the street so victims and others in the community may sleep soundly, and know justice has been served."
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch added, "Tony Clanton terrorized communities throughout New York City — holding victims at gunpoint in front of their children, firing recklessly, even impersonating a federal agent. Thanks to the outstanding work of NYPD investigators, in partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he’s now been brought to justice. This conviction ends a violent spree that had no place in our city. And we will continue working with our partners to make sure criminals like this are held accountable."
From January to July 2023, Clanton engaged in a series of violent gunpoint robberies. After being indicted, he removed his ankle monitor and evaded authorities for five weeks. During this time, he presented fake identification documents and searched online for ways to fake his death.
Notable incidents included a January 20, 2023, attempted robbery in Staten Island where Clanton and a co-conspirator, both armed, accosted Victim-1 while his son watched. Another event on June 3, 2023, involved a robbery at a smoke shop in Staten Island, where they stole cash, cigarettes, and marijuana. Additional robberies followed, targeting individuals in their homes or places of business.
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew M. Roddin and Matthew Skurnik, assisted by Paralegal Specialist Timothy Migliaro, and was handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.
The Defendant:
TONY CLANTON, also known as "Tone"
Age: 51
Staten Island, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-328 (S-1) (KAM)
