ACTION 8 UPDATE: Fourth person sentenced in robbery of Montgomery businessman Jim Massey
Jim Massey, owner of Jim Massey Cleaners, spoke to Action 8 News earlier this year about the robbery that left him injured – Photo from WAKA Action 8 News
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – The fourth and final person has now received federal punishment for the violent robbery of well-known Montgomery businessman Jim Massey, which left him injured.
Today, a federal judge sentenced 56-year-old Clinton Thompson of Birmingham to 121 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery. Following his prison term, Thompson will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Thomas Govan and Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Flowers with the FBI Mobile Field Office made the announcement about the March 3, 2025, robbery:
“This was a calculated and violent robbery that left a hardworking business owner injured and traumatized,” Govan said. “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.”
Suspects in the robbery and assault at Jim Massey’s Cleaners./Source: Montgomery Police Department
“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,” Flowers said.
According to his plea agreement and other court records, Thompson joined co-defendants Zedekiah Sykes, Spirit Hooks, and Spencer Thomas in carrying out the robbery of the Jim Massey Cleaners location on East South Street, one of nine in the area. After shattering the front door with a rock, the four men forced their way inside and confronted him.
During the robbery, court records say Thomas brandished what appeared to be a handgun, pointed it at Massey’s head, and demanded that the safe be opened. The weapon was later determined to be a BB gun. When Massey struggled to remember the safe’s combination, Hooks struck him in the left eye, causing visible bruising and swelling. The group ultimately gained access to the safe and stole approximately $8,000 in cash. Before fleeing, the men zip-tied Massey’s hands and feet, stole his cell phone and car keys, and escaped in his vehicle.
Jim Massey’s Cleaners location on South Street in Montgomery, where the March 10 robbery and assault of owner Jim Massey took place. – Photo from WAKA Action 8 News
Sykes, who prosecutors say was the organizer and ringleader of the robbery, was sentenced to 195 months in federal prison on October 23, 2025. Hooks was sentenced to 175 months in federal prison, and Thomas received a sentence of 144 months in federal prison, both on January 13, 2026. Sykes, Hooks, and Thomas were also ordered to pay $9,598.74 in restitution to the victimized business. Thompson was ordered to pay restitution jointly and severally with his co-defendants.
Jim Massey talked about surviving this robbery and attack in an interview with Action 8 News last year. Massey told us the robbers were wearing hard hats and reflective construction vests.
Days after the robbery, CrimeStoppers and Massey each offered a $5,000 reward, totaling $10,000 in all, for information to solve the case.
