📰 The Gutter Report: Staten Island’s Tony “Tone” Clanton Seeks New Trial as Questions Surround Federal Robbery Case
Defense argues key evidence was withheld while supporters highlight his impact creating jobs and opportunities in Staten Island
📸 Tony “Tone” Clanton pictured in Staten Island prior to his federal case. Supporters say he built businesses and provided jobs throughout the borough before his arrest.
Staten Island, New York — A federal robbery case involving Staten Island resident Tony “Tone” Clanton has entered a new phase after Clanton filed a Rule 33 motion for a new trial, arguing that key evidence was withheld during his original trial.
The motion, filed in federal court before Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto, asks the court to vacate Clanton’s conviction and grant a new trial based on newly discovered evidence that his legal team says could have changed the outcome of the case.
Federal prosecutors have been ordered to respond to the motion, with Clanton’s legal team expected to file a reply afterward as the court evaluates whether the conviction should stand or whether the case should be reopened.
⚖️ The Case: A Staten Island Home Invasion
The case stems from a January 20, 2023 home invasion at 181 Clinton Avenue in Staten Island.
During trial testimony, Vernon Fields told jurors he returned to the building and encountered a man inside the vestibule wearing what appeared to be a hazmat-style painter’s suit and mask.
According to Fields’ testimony, the man pulled out a silver revolver, warned him “Don’t make it a homicide,” struck him with the gun, and fired a shot that struck the wall.
Fields’ 10-year-old son was present during the encounter, and testimony later described the emotional impact the incident had on the child. The family later moved from the building following the robbery.
Prosecutors argued the robbery was part of a broader conspiracy involving several individuals connected to Staten Island.
⚖️ Co-Defendant: Rameen “Ise Kream” Smith
📸 Rameen “Ise Kream” Smith, a cooperating defendant in the federal case who later received a 13-year sentence after pleading guilty in the robbery conspiracy.
One of the co-defendants in the case, Rameen “Ise Kream” Smith, pleaded guilty in the federal robbery conspiracy and ultimately received a 156-month (13-year) federal prison sentence after cooperating with federal prosecutors.
Court records identify Smith as a cooperating participant whose testimony became part of the government’s case against Tony Clanton.
Prior to the federal robbery case, Smith had also faced separate criminal charges in Staten Island. In 2021, he pleaded guilty in a child-endangerment case reported by the Staten Island Advance in
“Jail back in ex-con’s future after child-endangerment plea”.
Controversy surrounding the case has also drawn attention to past criminal allegations involving members of the same family. Jatiek “Bad Blood” Smith, identified as Ise Kream’s brother, was previously named in a sexual exploitation case reported by the New York Daily News in
“4 Charged With Forcing Girls to Have Video Sex”.
👤 Testimony and the “Knowledge” Connection
📸 Tony “Tone” Clanton (left) and his uncle Anthony “Knowledge” Clanton (right) pictured together before the federal case, when the two were still close.
A key witness played a central role during the trial.
Lawrence Dotson
Star witness Lawrence Dotson, testified as a cooperating defendant after pleading guilty to participating in robbery conspiracies.
Dotson told the court he had known Knowledge since the late 1990s, when the two encountered each other while incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York.
His testimony became part of the prosecution’s effort to connect individuals involved in the conspiracy.
📄 The Letter and the Fallout
📄 Court document showing Anthony “Knowledge” Clanton writing a character letter to Judge Matsumoto praising Rameen “Ise Kream” Smith — the same co-defendant whose cooperation helped convict his nephew, Tony Clanton.
Beyond the testimony itself, controversy has also surrounded a letter written by Anthony “Knowledge” Clanton on behalf of Rameen “Ise Kream” Smith.
In the letter, Knowledge describes Smith as “respectful, dependable, and thoughtful” and expresses confidence in his character and future.
The letter raised eyebrows among people familiar with the situation because Smith had cooperated in a case that helped secure the conviction of Knowledge’s own nephew, Tony Clanton.
Supporters of Clanton say the fallout has been personal as well.
According to people close to the situation, Clanton has struggled to reach his uncle since his incarceration, despite the two previously maintaining a close relationship when Clanton was free.
“When Tone was home,” one supporter said,
“he was the Floyd Mayweather of the family. Everybody was good.”
⚖️ Disputed Cooperation
People familiar with the case say that Ise Kream initially indicated he would challenge the prosecution’s version of events if he took the stand.
However, after entering a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Smith ultimately cooperated with the government and provided testimony that became part of the case against Clanton.
Supporters of Clanton argue that shift is central to their criticism of the prosecution’s reliance on cooperating witnesses.
🏙️ Creating Jobs Through Construction Work
Outside of the courtroom battle, many Staten Island residents remember Clanton for the opportunities he created through business and employment.
Clanton oversaw fire guard operations at the Amazon construction site near the Goethals Bridge, where workers were responsible for identifying fire hazards, maintaining extinguishers, and ensuring the site complied with New York City Fire Department safety regulations.
Those familiar with the project say Clanton held the contract responsible for that operation and provided jobs to numerous Staten Island residents.
Supporters say those jobs helped create stability for people who might not otherwise have had access to steady work.
Several of the individuals who later cooperated in the federal case had also worked with or around Clanton, according to people familiar with the situation — including Anthony “Knowledge” Clanton, Rameen “Ise Kream” Smith, and Lawrence Dotson.
🎵 Music and Retail on Bay Street
Clanton was also involved in Staten Island’s music and retail scenes.
He was connected to Take Money Records, a local music label that worked with artists including Veto Corli and C Black.
Clanton was also associated with Take Money Sneaker & Apparel, a clothing store that once operated at 192 Bay Street in Staten Island.
The shop sold streetwear and sneakers and was known locally as one of the few stores on Staten Island at the time carrying brands like Off-White and other high-end streetwear labels.
Although the store is no longer operating, many residents remember it as another example of Clanton’s attempts to build businesses within the community.
🧭 A Case Still Being Contested
The federal case has left the Staten Island community with two competing narratives.
Prosecutors argue the evidence presented at trial demonstrated Clanton’s involvement in the robbery conspiracy.
Clanton and his supporters maintain the case relied heavily on cooperating witnesses and that newly uncovered evidence could change the outcome if the court grants a new trial.
For now, the decision rests with the federal court as it reviews the motion and determines whether the case will move forward again.
Not for clicks — for clarity.
— Elliott Carterr, LFTG Radio
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