Flint Rapper Cliff Mac Charged in Murder-for-Hire Plot

FLINT– A Flint rapper was charged yesterday for hiring a man to murder a Sterling Heights woman for $10,000 in cash today, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Joining in the announcement were James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, and Special Agent in Charge Paul D. Vanderplow, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Detroit Field Division.

A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment charging Clifton E. Terry, III, a.k.a. “Cliff Mac,” 31, of Flint with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire resulting in personal injury, murder-for-hire resulting in personal injury, and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  The grand jury had previously indicted defendant Andre D. Sims, 25, of Grand Rapids, on March 16, 2022, for his role in the murder-for-hire plot with Terry. 

According to the indictment, Terry solicited Sims to murder a female Sterling Heights resident for $10,000 in cash.  On November 27, 2020, Sims traveled from Grand Rapids to Flint where he obtained a vehicle.  In the early morning of November 28, 2020, Sims drove to the victim’s residence in Sterling Heights and parked across the street.  When the victim left her residence several hours later Sims approached her vehicle and fired seven to eight gunshots at the victim.  Despite being shot multiple times, the victim survived.  The shooting was captured on the victim’s home security system.  After the shooting, Sims drove to a nearby apartment complex where he abandoned his vehicle.  Shortly thereafter, Terry picked Sims up from the apartment complex.  Terry later agreed to pay Sims $2,500 for the failed hit. 

Terry is also charged with first degree murder in a separate case in Genesee County Circuit Court for his alleged role in the August 17, 2021, killing of Devaroe Davis. 

Sims was recently sentenced to life in prison following his murder conviction in the Kent County Circuit Court for the shooting death of a 65-year-old woman. 

Based on the charges of conspiring to commit murder-for-hire and for committing murder-for-hire resulting in personal injury, Terry faces a maximum of twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  Based on the charge of aiding and abetting the use and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, Terry faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum of life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 

This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosive, with assistance from the Sterling Heights Police Department, the Flint Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Michigan State Police, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jules DePorre, Anthony Vance, and Tim Turkelson.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.