Marshals Hunt Milwaukee Sex Offender Who Listed Empty Lot As Home

U.S. Marshals are on the hunt for Clifton Robinson, a convicted sex offender and federal fraudster who dropped off the radar after giving his probation officer a fake Milwaukee address that turned out to be an empty lot. Authorities say they have lost contact with Robinson, who is described as about 6 feet tall and 250 pounds, and consider him dangerous. They believe he may be in the Milwaukee or Chicago area.

Marshals say empty-lot address exposed missing probationer

The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force told FOX6 News Milwaukee that Robinson reported an address at 36th and Glendale on Milwaukee’s north side as his residence. When officers went to check, they found no house at the location, just an empty lot, and he was officially classified as a loss of contact.

A marshal working the case told the station that “he’s someone that needs to be off the street,” describing Robinson as dangerous. Officials say he may be moving between Milwaukee and Chicago and are asking anyone who spots him or knows where he is to speak up.

Convicted in a multimillion-dollar tax refund scheme

Before he vanished from supervision, Robinson was already dealing with serious federal time. He was convicted in federal court for his role in a tax-refund fraud that involved more than 300 bogus returns and about $1.8 million in claimed refunds, with roughly $1.2 million actually paid out, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of Illinois.

Prosecutors said the scheme relied on stolen Social Security numbers and prepaid accounts to grab fraudulent federal refunds. Robinson was found guilty on 16 fraud-related counts and received a 99-month prison sentence along with an order to pay $1.2 million in restitution.

Appeal record and prior sexual offense history

The Seventh Circuit’s decision in Robinson’s appeal lays out the trial record, including his convictions for conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and aggravated identity theft, and affirms the 99-month prison term, according to the Seventh Circuit opinion.

The appellate court also notes an earlier aggravated criminal sexual assault conviction that factored into how judges calculated his criminal history category at sentencing. Court filings show Robinson’s criminal record stretches back to the 1990s and was part of what federal judges considered when deciding his punishment.

How to report tips

Anyone with information on Robinson’s whereabouts is urged to call the U.S. Marshals tip line at 414-297-3707, as reported by FOX6 News Milwaukee. Callers can remain anonymous, and officials warn the public not to approach Robinson on their own.

Marshals say tips from people in Milwaukee or Chicago could be crucial in tracking him down and getting him back into custody.

Legal consequences for going off the grid

Under federal law, courts can revoke supervised release and send someone back to prison if they violate supervision conditions, including disappearing or giving false contact information. The statute that lays out those powers is 18 U.S.C. § 3583.

If a judge finds Robinson violated his supervision, he could be ordered back to prison and face additional penalties allowed under that law.