MIDLAND CAREER CRIMINAL PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL WEAPONS CHARGES

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced today that in Midland, Texas, Marquis Daniel Clay faces between 15 years and life in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

During a hearing this morning before United States Magistrate Judge L. Stuart Platt, the 28- year-old Midland resident pled guilty to the charge and admitted that he had been previously convicted in state court for a variety of crimes including: aggravated assault, delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. Because of his criminal history, Judge Platt ruled that Clay was an armed career criminal and as such faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole.

After the hearing, United States Attorney Johnny Sutton stated, “Violent criminals like Mr. Clay should be on notice, if you break the law you will be sent to federal prison for a long, long time.”

On December 7, 2005, authorities arrested Clay at an Odessa residence on a state fugitive warrant. At the time of his arrest, Clay was in possession of a loaded Ruger 9mm semi automatic pistol.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI West Texas Area Major Offenders Task Force (WAMO) which is comprised of federal agents and local detectives who work together to investigate violent criminals in the Permian Basin area. Assistant United States Attorney Glenn Roque-Jackson is prosecuting the case for the government.

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