ALTON – Separate cases of unlawful weapon possession in Madison County have yielded felony charges against two Alton residents.
Robert M. Clay, 19, of Alton, was charged with a Class 4 felony count of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons on Dec. 18, 2025
Clay reportedly carried a black Smith & Wesson handgun in his vehicle on Nov. 4, 2025, which was unlawful for him to possess as a person under 21 years of age and not engaged in lawful activities under the Wildlife Code.
The Granite City Police Department presented the case against Clay, who was granted pretrial release from custody.
Another Alton man, 36-year-old Zachary C. Ray, was separately charged in another felony case of unlawful firearm possession also filed on Dec. 18, 2025. He faces one count of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons, a Class 4 felony.
Ray is accused of knowingly carrying a Hi-Point .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun on his person which was uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible on Oct. 14, 2025. Charging documents also state Ray had not been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card or Concealed Carry License at the time of the offense.
Ray was also ordered released from custody pending trial in the case presented by the Alton Police Department.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
