Show-Me State Times

A St. Louis man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for a series of violent crimes, including an armed carjacking and multiple shootings. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey handed down the sentence to Darnell L. Clemons, who has a lengthy criminal history involving firearms.

The sentencing follows Clemons' involvement in several incidents over recent years. In May 2018, Clemons and his nephew committed a robbery and carjacking at a University City restaurant, stealing a vehicle and other valuables from the manager while threatening her with a handgun.

In July 2021, Clemons shot a man during an attempted theft at a Florissant gas station, causing permanent injury to the victim. A few days later, he was involved in another shooting incident in St. Louis' O’Fallon neighborhood, where police recovered a stolen firearm linked to him.

Clemons was arrested in December 2021 by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Fugitive Unit with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations after attempting to evade capture through the Delmar Loop area.

According to court documents, Clemons has been described as having an extensive criminal background that includes previous carjackings and domestic violence incidents. His former girlfriend recounted instances of abuse in a letter presented during sentencing.

Mark Zito, Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City, stated: “This was a career criminal with no regard for human life and demonstrated a willingness to terrorize communities with violence.”

Clemons pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges including carjacking and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. The case was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations.