Grand Rapids man sentenced to 25 years for sex trafficking and child pornography

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A Grand Rapids man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced Wednesday.

Terrence Donte Clay, 39, met the girl at a Grand Rapids park in October 2022. Totten said Clay had sex with her multiple times and ordered her to have sex with other men for money; he at one point instructed her to “make a sign” and “beg” to offer specific sex acts for fixed prices.

Using nude photos of her, Clay promoted her online.

“Mr. Clay is a sexual predator who preyed on a minor victim, treated her like his property, instructed her to sell herself for sex, and has shown no remorse for his actions,” Totten said. human trafficking, including sex and labor trafficking, I appreciate the investigative work of our law enforcement partners to hold Mr. Clay accountable and ensure some measure of justice for the victim.”

After police found her in a Grand Rapids library, Totten said the girl was taken to a foster home in the Upper Peninsula while they continued their investigation. During this time, Clay found her and picked her up from the foster home on Nov. 12, 2022, without the foster family’s knowledge, officials said.

Law enforcement officers pulled over the vehicle shortly after it crossed south of the Mackinac Bridge, where they found both Clay and the girl.

“Today’s sentencing of Terrence Clay is a decisive victory in our unyielding fight against sexual predators who prey on children,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “This outcome underscores the relentless dedication of the FBI’s WEBCHEX task. Force, especially our law enforcement partners at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Kentwood Police Department, Forsythe Police Department, Cheboygan Sheriff’s Office, Tuscarora Township Police Department and Michigan State Police.”

Anyone who is a victim of human trafficking or knows someone who may be a victim is asked to contact the emergency room National Reporting Center for Human Trafficking at (888) 373-7888 or by texting “INFO” to 233733.

Officials said this case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.