Former EPISD administrator convicted in 2021 kidnapping, sexual assault of woman
A former El Paso Independent School District administrator was convicted May 5 of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in 2021.
Jeffrey Steven Clay was found guilty by a jury on one count each of kidnapping and transportation for illegal sexual activity, U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico officials said.
Clay was accused of kidnapping a woman in El Paso, taking her to his home in Anthony, New Mexico, and sexually assaulting her as she cried and pleaded for him to stop, federal court documents state.
“This crime was disturbing and relentless,” FBI Albuquerque Field Office Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda said in a statement. “The conviction of Jeffrey Steven Clay is a great achievement in keeping our communities safer from those who target and prey on innocent people. The FBI will always work together with our partners and hold these criminals accountable and prevent such violence from happening in our communities.”
Clay's trial was held in New Mexico federal court with U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales presiding.
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He faces up to life in prison, officials said. A sentencing date has not been set, federal court records show.
Clay was an executive director of Analytics, Strategy, and Assessment and Public Education Information Management Systems for the EPISD when he was arrested Nov. 10. He previously served as a teacher and school principal at the district.
The EPISD board of trustees unanimously voted Nov. 15 − less than a week after his arrest − to fire Clay.
Clay worked at the district for more than 28 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Kidnapping, sexual assault allegations
Clay was accused of offering a ride to a woman Aug. 4, 2021, near Copia Street. Clay agreed to take the woman to her friend's home, but instead drove her to his house in Anthony, New Mexico, officials said.
Court documents don't state the woman's age or whether she previously knew Clay.
Clay attempted to kiss the woman once they arrived at his home. The woman rebuffed him, and Clay then struck her in the face and handcuffed her, officials said.
Clay took the woman to a bedroom where he again struck her in the face and sexually assaulted her while she was handcuffed, crying and pleading for him to stop, officials said.
Clay then drove the woman back to El Paso.
The woman escaped when Clay stopped at a traffic light. She then sought help at a nearby convenience store, officials said.
Another woman testified during Clay's trial that he repeatedly sexually abused her as well, officials said. The woman testified Clay assaulted her when she was a minor and when she was an adult. She was seven months pregnant during at least one of the sexual assaults, officials said.
FBI searching for more victims
FBI officials are asking other potential victims of Clay or anyone with information about other cases involving him to contact them at 1-800-225-5324 or to report the incidents online at tips.fbi.gov.
“Even in darkness there is light,” U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Alexander M.M. Uballez said in a statement. “For those of us who serve in law enforcement, the light is working with these heroic victims and witnesses whose courageous testimony ensures that sexual predators will never ruin another life. I stand in awe of these two brave women who shared their stories so that others would be safe.”
Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Former EPISD administrator convicted in kidnapping, assault of woman
