Jailer accused in girl's sex assault at juvenile lockup

Robert Emerson Robinson, 28, is charged with felony sexual assault of a child. Robert Emerson Robinson, 28, is charged with felony sexual assault of a child. Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Jailer accused in girl's sex assault at juvenile lockup 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A jailer at the Harris County Juvenile Justice Center in downtown Houston is accused of coercing a girl into sex by offering her candy, according to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

Robert Emerson Robinson, 28, is charged with felony sexual assault of a child, court records show. He was released from custody at the Harris County Jail after posting $30,000 bond, court records show.

Robinson was working as a jailer at the center at 1200 Congress when he entered the cell of a 15-year-old detainee on May 23 and sexually assaulted her, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in the case.

The girl told investigators that she allowed the suspect to assault her because he had provided her with "candy and sweets" while she was incarcerated at the juvenile center, the complaint states.

Surveillance video footage showed Robinson visiting the girl after the lights were turned off inside her cell. He admitted to the alleged assault, telling investigators that he "made a mistake," according to the criminal complaint.

robert.stanton@chron.com

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