A police officer in the Houston suburb of Missouri City has been arrested for continuous family violence for allegedly assaulting her live-in boyfriend more than once.
According to KTRK abc13.com, Robin Williams, 32, is accused of beating her boyfriend on multiple occasions, including using her department-issued Taser and baton on him in 2 separate incidents.
Williams, who is also reportedly running for Houston mayor, was arrested by Harris County Constable Precinct 7 deputies when she arrived at the Missouri City Police Department on January 10.
Records indicate that Williams posted bond and left Harris County Jail the next day.
Latest alleged incident was on New Year’s Eve
Harris County Constable Precinct 7 deputies reportedly responded to a family disturbance call from Williams’s live-in boyfriend on New Year’s Eve in the Brunswick Meadows subdivision, which is on the south side of Houston and east of Missouri City.
The man reportedly told deputies that Williams had hit him in the mouth during a verbal altercation. He was bleeding from a cut on his lip and said he was in pain.
Court documents also indicate that her boyfriend told police she had struck him several times with her department-issued baton on August 4, 2022. A video reportedly confirmed the incident, which the victim said left knots on his body.
According to court documents, he also told deputies that she had used her department-issued Taser on him during another altercation in August of 2022.
Did you know that a domestic violence charge can have serious long-term consequences even if you’re NOT convicted? Learn how to protect your rights.
Arrest came after a warrant, charge
After the alleged December 31, 2022, incident, Precinct 7 deputies said they attempted several times to contact Williams to get her side of the story, but they were unsuccessful. They then contacted the Missouri City Police Department, which responded that she was away from work on medical leave due to a work-related injury.
Eventually, the Missouri City Police Department was also unsuccessful in trying to contact Williams, who did not return messages or answer calls.
According to Missouri City police, data indicated that Williams had discharged her Taser but never reported that. Police also said that the original cartridge issued to her was not the current cartridge in her Taser.
Finally, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for Williams’s arrest for continuous violence against the family, which is a 3rd-degree felony charge.
Were you charged with a crime in Texas? Learn about the different crime classifications and their potential punishments in Texas.
Under Texas law on offenses against the family, a continuous violence against the family offense occurs when there are 2 or more assaults on a family member within the span of 12 months.
By law, a family member can include the following:
- Spouse
- Former spouse
- Dating partner
- Boyfriend
- Girlfriend
- Foster children
- Foster parents
Also, such persons can be considered family members whether or not they live together.
After the arrest warrant was issued, Williams was taken into custody when she arrived at the Missouri City Police Department station on January 10.
The Missouri City Police Department then issued this statement about the case:
“On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, Missouri City Police Officer Robin Williams was taken into custody at the Missouri City Police Department as a result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office. Any further inquiries should be directed to the Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office. The Missouri City Police Department is fully cooperating with the agencies conducting this investigation.”
False allegations of domestic assault and family violence aren’t common, but they do happen. Here are a few possible motivations…
Continuous violence against the family can mean 10 years in prison
A conviction for continuous violence against the family can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and a prison sentence of 2 to 10 years.
The repeat nature of the crime holds that continuous violence against the family can be committed against different family members—and not necessarily the same one—within 12 months.
In fact, such repeated violence also can occur in different counties thanks to a new Texas law on domestic violence. It allows a district attorney to pursue a charge of continuous violence against the family even if the alleged incidents of domestic violence occurred in separate Texas counties.
Although a 3rd-degree felony, such as continuous violence against the family, is not as serious as a 1st-degree felony charge, it’s more serious than a domestic assault charge in Texas. That charge is a Class A misdemeanor if the defendant has no prior convictions for domestic assault, and the punishments include up to 1 year in jail, a fine of as much as $4,000, or both.
Get an experienced Houston family violence attorney
If you face an accusation, claim or charge of domestic assault in Harris County, Fort Bend County or Montgomery County, you must get an experienced Houston family violence attorney or domestic assault lawyer to defend your legal rights.
