KC Reporter

A Kansas City man has been convicted in federal court for his involvement in a murder-for-hire conspiracy. Thomas D. Clegg, 42, was found guilty by a jury of conspiring to commit murder for hire. The conspiracy aimed to kill a victim identified as "J.C." and his family members in exchange for cash and marijuana.

The plot involved two separate shooting incidents targeting J.C. On August 19, 2021, Clegg shot J.C. in the leg and back at Ugly Joe’s bar parking lot in Kansas City, Missouri. Another shooting occurred on May 25, 2022, when Clegg shot J.C. in the back at a strip mall located at 4010 Sterling Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. Nearby businesses included an accounting firm, daycare center, and fitness center. A witness reported that her vehicle was hit by gunfire after picking up her children from the daycare; however, no injuries were reported.

Clegg's cell phone was seized upon his arrest, leading investigators to obtain search warrants revealing text messages between Clegg and co-conspirators discussing the plan to murder J.C.

The jury deliberated for about two and a half hours before delivering guilty verdicts to U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips after a trial that began on May 12.

In addition to the conspiracy charge, Clegg pleaded guilty on May 6 to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm used during the May 2022 shooting incident.

Federal law prohibits felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. Clegg has previous felony convictions including possession of controlled substances, unlawful use of weapons, drug trafficking, voluntary manslaughter, discharging firearms from vehicles, assault, armed criminal action, and prior firearm possession offenses.

Clegg faces up to 30 years in federal prison without parole under federal statutes. However, sentencing will be determined by the court based on advisory guidelines and other factors following a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashleigh A. Ragner and Heather Siegele are prosecuting this case which was investigated by several agencies including the FBI and local police departments.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities they serve.