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WARREN -- Brian J. Clay, 52, of West Fifth Street in McDonald, was sentenced to three years in prison Monday after being found guilty at trial of being a felon in possession of a firearm, misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor possessing criminal tools for stealing copper and other materials from a McDonald business.
Clay's trial lasted one day before Judge Cynthia Westcott of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. The jury deliberated about 30 minutes before announcing its verdict. Wescott immediately sentenced Clay after that.
The charges related to an Oct. 30, 2025, incident in which Clay was caught with an accomplice stealing copper and other industrial items. He tried to flee from police and was found in possession of numerous criminal tools and a firearm. Because of his previous offenses, Clay was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabe Wildman, who prosecuted the case, said afterwards that Clay is a "career criminal with a lengthy criminal record."