Former school district employee convicted of kidnapping woman

EL PASO, Texas (TCD) — A 51-year-old former school district employee from New Mexico faces up to life in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in Texas in 2021.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, on Aug. 4, 2021, Jeffrey Clay, who worked for the El Paso Independent School District at the time, offered a ride to Jane Doe at an address in El Paso. The victim reportedly asked Clay to drive her to a friend’s home, but instead, he took her to his house in Anthony, New Mexico.

At his home, Clay tried to kiss Jane Doe, and she rebuffed his advances, the Attorney’s Office said. Clay then reportedly hit and handcuffed her as she tried to escape. According to the Attorney’s Office, Clay brought Jane Doe to a bedroom, where he punched her numerous times and “sexually assaulted Jane Doe while she remained handcuffed, crying, and repeatedly pleading with Clay to stop.”

Following the assault, Clay reportedly drove Jane Doe back toward El Paso. The Attorney’s Office said she was able to escape the vehicle at a traffic light and called for help at a convenience store.

Clay had reportedly sexually abused another woman repeatedly, “both when she was a minor and when she was an adult, including while she was seven months pregnant.”

In November 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Clay while he was the executive director of analytics, strategy, and assessment and public education information management systems for the El Paso Independent School District. He previously held different roles with the district, including as a teacher and principal.

The Attorney’s Office announced Monday, May 8, that Clay was found guilty of one count of kidnapping and transportation for illegal sexual activity.

Raul Bujanda, FBI Special Agent in Charge, said, “This crime was disturbing and relentless. The conviction of Jeffrey Steven Clay is a great achievement in keeping our communities safer from those who target and prey on innocent people.”

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez added, “Even in darkness there is light. 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.”

In addition to the two female victims, the FBI is seeking other possible victims of Clay.