(Kenosha County Sheriff)
KENOSHA, Wis. – A Racine man with a long criminal history was found guilty Wednesday on both counts in a Kenosha County theft-related case, following a two-day jury trial that highlighted his repeated violations of court orders and continued criminal behavior while out on bond.
Roy L. McClinton Sr., 54, was convicted of two counts of felony bail jumping tied to catalytic converter thefts committed in November 2021. At the time, McClinton was on bond in a felony case in Racine County, which explicitly prohibited him from scrapping metal—a condition he repeatedly ignored.
The charges stemmed from two separate incidents. On November 13, 2021, McClinton was caught on surveillance video stealing a catalytic converter from a company van at Commercial Plastics in Kenosha. Less than two weeks later, on November 24, he returned to the same business and was again seen on video engaging in similar theft. Both catalytic converters were scrapped for cash the same day they were stolen. Police were able to match McClinton’s distinctive truck and trailer to the thefts using surveillance footage and scrap yard records.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniel Joseph Tombasco with assistance from intern Morgan Millar. The jury returned guilty verdicts on both bail jumping counts after just two days of testimony and evidence presentation.
Despite the convictions, Kenosha County Circuit Judge Angelina Gabriele declined to revoke McClinton’s bond or remand him into custody. The decision has raised eyebrows given McClinton’s extensive criminal record and his history of committing new offenses while already out on bond.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 15, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. McClinton faces up to six years in prison on each count, for a total possible sentence of 12 years.
McClinton’s legal issues extend well beyond the case that went to trial. Since being charged in the 2022 case, he has picked up at least two additional felony cases in Kenosha County involving nearly identical conduct. In April 2023, McClinton was accused of stealing metal railings, a lamp post, and other materials from Buskirk Construction and having a relative bring the items to a scrap yard on his behalf. Surveillance footage, eyewitness identifications, and scrap yard transaction logs helped police connect McClinton to the theft.
In June 2023, McClinton was again arrested, this time after he was spotted behind Ace Hardware on 80th Street at 3:30 a.m. loading a salt spreader into his van. The business was closed, and the equipment had been stored in a fenced-in area. When questioned, McClinton claimed a manager gave him permission, but he was unable to name who that was. The store owner confirmed no such permission had been given. During his arrest, McClinton reportedly told police, “don’t get me for bail jumping.”
Those newer cases have added several more felony bail jumping charges to his record. All were committed while McClinton was out on signature or low-cash bonds in other cases—some of which involved nearly identical offenses. His record also includes prior convictions in Racine County for theft, including one case involving property valued over $2,500, and multiple felony bail jumping convictions.
Despite this lengthy and consistent pattern of theft and bond violations, McClinton has repeatedly avoided serious consequences, often released with minimal supervision or financial obligation.
With a guilty verdict now secured by a jury, the upcoming sentencing hearing will determine whether McClinton finally receives a significant punishment or continues his pattern of evading accountability.
.
.
.
.
2 Responses
Seems to me Judge Angelina Gabriele continues her pattern of avoiding accountability to citizen’s of Kenosha. Will she ever receive consequences for her decisions or lack of. An absolute disgrace of a judge. Are Patricia Hanson of Racine and Gabriele related or just from the same tribe?
Considering his continued life of crime and ignoring all conditions set on freedom, it is ridiculous to let him out after this conviction. It’s one thing to but someone out while they’re waiting for their trial date, but in this case there’s no reason why he can’t stay locked up since time served can be applied to his incarceration time.