Cletio Clark, 29, of Fort Dodge, was convicted of first-degree robbery by a Webster County jury in February.

Jurors said Clark had robbed the Fort Dodge Applebee’s, 2810 Fifth Ave. S., at gunpoint in the early morning hours of Sept. 30, 2018.

Clark’s sentencing was held Monday, and when given a chance by Senior Judge Thomas Bice, of the 2nd Judicial District, to make a statement on his own behalf, Clark said he was innocent and that the only reason he was charged with the case was because he’s not cooperating with investigators in an unrelated double-murder case.

He accused investigators of “coercing people into saying things about me that aren’t true.”

“I never committed this crime,” Clark said. “I was in Des Moines when this took place, so it’s impossible for me to commit this crime.”

He further stated that because he is not cooperating with investigators in a case in which Tanner King is charged with homicide, he was charged with this robbery.

King is accused of killing brothers Marion and El Dominic Rhodes in Fort Dodge October 2018. He’s alleged to have shot at Clark during the same incident.

“Not cooperating with the state on the double-homicide is why I’m in the position I am today,” Clark said. “And I know that’s the only reason.”

Clark claimed he was offered deals in the King case, but did not take any of them.

“If you tell the state no, they will do anything in their power to incarcerate you,” Clark said.

He again denied he had anything to do with the Applebee’s robbery.

“It’s just all corruption,” he said. “Webster County’s the most corrupt place I’ve ever seen.”

“I have to be put on the chopping block today.”

Bice spoke to Clark after he made the allegations.

“Just so we understand each other, sir,” Bice said, “I’m not buying a word of it.”

“I don’t give a (expletive),” Clark told Bice.

At that point, Bice ordered the court in recess and requested to speak with Ryan Baldridge, first assistant Webster County attorney, and Clark’s attorney, A. Joseph Wilson, of Des Moines, in chambers.

After about six minutes, Bice and the attorneys returned and court reconvened without any further interruptions.

Two uniformed Fort Dodge police officers showed up around the same time, while four plain-clothes officers were present in the courtroom as well.

After court, Baldridge did not comment on Clark’s claims about a deal, but he did thank the Fort Dodge Police Department and all the other law enforcement agencies for their work on the case.

Continuing from before he was interrupted, Bice told Clark that he did not accept his version of events.

“From the court’s perspective, the evidence was overwhelming as to your involvement,” Bice said.

The “most condemning” evidence, the judge believed, was Clark’s fingerprint that was found on a box in the back of Applebee’s. Surveillance video showed the robbery suspect slipping and putting his hand on that box as he was trying to flee the restaurant.

Investigators were able to lift the print and match it with Clark’s.

“There is overwhelming proof, and for you to tell this court that you were in Des Moines, and your lack of remorse, from my perspective, only underscores your lack of civic responsibility,” Bice continued. “I agree with the county attorney. You deserve this sentence.”

He called Clark’s version of events “just unbelievable.”

First-degree robbery is a forcible felony, so Clark must serve 70 percent of his sentence before he’s eligible for parole. That means Clark will be in prison for at least 17 and a half years.

Wilson had asked Bice to not require a minimum sentence, but the judge disagreed with the attorney’s request.

Bice also ruled that a no-contact order between Clark and one of the managers at Applebee’s, who had a gun pointed at his head during the robbery, would remain in effect for the next five years.