Historic Sentence Delivered
Robert Hawkins, a convicted human trafficker, has been sentenced to 448 years in prison, a historic sentence handed down in Denver. The lead prosecutor believes this to be the longest human trafficking sentence in U.S. history, surpassing the previous record of 401 years, also from Colorado.
Multiple Cases and Victims
Hawkins’ sentence stems from more than a dozen counts across three cases involving seven victims: four adult women, two juvenile girls, and one man. The youngest victim, who was 13 when manipulated by Hawkins and is now 17, shared her testimony during the trial.
Victims’ Statements and Testimonies
Victims expressed relief and a sense of justice following the sentencing. One victim highlighted the importance of coming forward and seeking justice, despite the fear and trauma associated with facing their abuser in court.
Past Offenses
The pre-sentence investigation report revealed that between 1997 and 2003, Hawkins was arrested, cited, or detained for 57 offenses across more than 20 cases, all of which were dismissed. He was previously charged with pimping a child, but the case did not proceed because the 16-year-old victim was too afraid to testify.
Defense and Appeal
Hawkins chose not to speak during the sentencing as his legal team plans to appeal the decision. His attorney argued that the victims’ testimonies were sanitized and suggested the truth was more complex.
Official Response
Following the sentencing, representatives from the DEA, FBI, and Denver Police held a press conference expressing their hope that this historic sentence would send a strong message against human trafficking in the community. They emphasized their commitment to aggressively pursuing justice for victims.
Community Impact
The lengthy sentence aims to provide closure for the victims and serve as a deterrent to future human trafficking crimes, reinforcing the community’s stance against such heinous activities.
