An Alabama deputy charged with human trafficking, rape and other offenses is accused of threatening his then-girlfriend and blackmailing her into sexual servitude.
Robert Lisle, 47, a Jefferson County deputy, was arrested in Blount County on Monday, August 31, records show. He is also charged with unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence/harassment.
He was released from custody the morning of Friday, September 4, according to jail records.
Lisle allegedly threatened to call immigration authorities on his girlfriend and used “blackmail to extort the victim into fulfilling sexual fantasies” in July and August, per charging documents obtained by AL.com.
According to a criminal complaint, Lisle raped the woman on July 15 and also confined her to a bathroom on August 14, when he had her delete videos that were on her phone, the news outlet reported. He is also accused of physically assaulting the woman on August 14.
The complaint accuses Lisle of grabbing the woman’s ponytail and her throat while trying to gain access to her phone, WBMA reported. Additionally, he allegedly shoved her and hit her despite her having undergone recent surgery.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has placed Lisle on leave while the agency conducts an administrative investigation, Chief Deputy Henry Irby III confirmed to the TV station.
The Blount County District Attorney’s Office on Thursday, September 3, had requested for Lisle to be held without bond, WIAT reported. Prosecutors said the victim feared she’d be retaliated against for alerting law enforcement to what she allegedly endured.
Lisle’s defense attorney David Luker said “I think it is a very serious [allegation] and there are two sides,” per the TV station.
At a hearing on September 3, Lisle’s bond had been set at $80,600, the TV station reported.
“You’ve got a really good judge that’s handling this case and you’ve got good prosecutors,” Luker said, according to WIAT. “And we’re all trying to do our job the best for our clients. Prosecutors representing [the] state of Alabama and me representing Mr. Lisle, so it’s one of those cases where it’s just going to take a little time for it all to filter out.”
Ahead of Lisle’s arrest, he sought a protection order against the woman, who he described as his ex, and accused her of mental instability, according to records viewed by AL.com.
Lisle and the woman must stay 1,000 feet apart from each other as part of a restraining order issued by a judge, per AL.com.
