Governor Greg Abbott has pardoned a human trafficking survivor. Governor Abbott’s Office said Robbie Ann Hamilton was lured into sex and human trafficking when she was around 15 years old.
“From there, her life took a downward spiral that included some petty crimes—none of which involved harming or endangering the life or safety of another person,” the statement said.
Since 1984, Hamilton had been sentenced in various cases in Collin, Dallas and Wise Counties.
The charges ranged from petty theft to drug possession.
Governor Abbott explained the pardon was not just about Hamilton, but also sends a message to all victims of human trafficking that there is a “path to redemption.”
“One of the surest signals of our commitment to helping victims of human trafficking is to show there is a true path to redemption for those victims. A way to demonstrate that is a gubernatorial pardon, for those who have truly escaped trafficking, for the crimes they may have committed while under the grips of traffickers,” the Governor said in a statement.
The Governor said while in jail, Hamilton, now 57, had a “come to Jesus” moment.
“She begged God to help her quit drugs and the sex industry. She was baptized in jail and spent rehab getting to know the Bible and Jesus. She participated with groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and New Friends New Life, a human and sex trafficking victim relief organization. She reoriented her life toward helping homeless addicts in street ministries and doing other rehabilitation efforts.”
Eight letters were submitted to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles in support of a full pardon.
No person or law enforcement agency submitted any letter in opposition to a pardon for Hamilton.
“The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole voted unanimously to pardon Robbie. I agree,” said Governor Abbott. “She is a testament to the principle that our lives are not defined by how we are challenged. Rather they are defined by how we respond to those challenges. Robbie demonstrated internal fortitude to turn her life away from being a victim of human and sex trafficking and toward a life of redemption and improving her community. Her example is to be applauded and replicated. As Governor of Texas, I hereby grant Robbie Ann Hamilton a full pardon consistent with the recommendation issued by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.”
Governor Abbott today issued a proclamation which pardons human trafficking survivor Robbie Ann Hamilton.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:
WHEREAS, Robbie Ann Hamilton, D.O.B. January 30, 1962, was sentenced for various offenses in Texas; and
WHEREAS, she was sentenced in the County Court at Law of Collin County on June 22, 1984, to one day in jail and a $50 fine for the offense of Theft by Check over the value of $20.00 but less than $200.00, Cause No. I-1205-8-2S; and
WHEREAS, she was sentenced in a Dallas County court on August 28, 1984, to six months of probation and a $300 fine for Theft $20, Cause No. M8427519; and
WHEREAS, she was sentenced in County Criminal Court 7 of Dallas County on December 1, 1988, to six months of probation and a $100 fine for Theft by Check $20, Cause No. MB8802216; and
WHEREAS, she was sentenced in a Dallas County court on October 12, 1989, to 15 days in jail for Theft $20, Cause No. MB8630040; and
WHEREAS, she was sentenced in the 271st Judicial District Court of Wise County on May 6, 2002, to three years of deferred adjudication probation and a $1,500 fine for the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance, methamphetamine, less than one gram, Cause No. 11,998; and
WHEREAS, she was sentenced in the 203rd Judicial District Court of Dallas County on April 24, 2003, to ten years of deferred adjudication probation for Unlawful Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, to-wit: methamphetamine, Cause No. F-0325626-IP; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has recommended a Full Pardon and Restoration of Full Civil Rights of Citizenship for each of these offenses;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, by virtue of the authority vested in me under the Constitution and laws of this State, and acting upon the recommendation of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, do hereby grant unto the said:
ROBBIE ANN HAMILTON
A FULL PARDON AND RESTORATION OF FULL CIVIL RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP THAT MAY HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN LOST AS A RESULT OF HER CONVICTION OF THE OFFENSE ABOVE SET OUT IN A COURT IN CAUSE NO. I-1205-8-2S, IN COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS.
A FULL PARDON AND RESTORATION OF FULL CIVIL RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP THAT MAY HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN LOST AS A RESULT
OF HER CONVICTION OF THE OFFENSE ABOVE SET OUT IN A COURT IN CAUSE NO. M8427519, IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS.
A FULL PARDON AND RESTORATION OF FULL CIVIL RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP THAT MAY HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN LOST AS A RESULT OF HER CONVICTION OF THE OFFENSE ABOVE SET OUT IN A COURT IN CAUSE NO. MB8802216, IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS.
A FULL PARDON AND RESTORATION OF FULL CIVIL RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP THAT MAY HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN LOST AS A RESULT OF HER CONVICTION OF THE OFFENSE ABOVE SET OUT IN A COURT IN CAUSE NO. MB8630040, IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS.
A FULL PARDON AND RESTORATION OF FULL CIVIL RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP THAT MAY HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN LOST AS A RESULT OF HER CONVICTION OF THE OFFENSE ABOVE SET OUT IN A COURT IN CAUSE NO. 11,998, IN WISE COUNTY, TEXAS.
A FULL PARDON AND RESTORATION OF FULL CIVIL RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP THAT MAY HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN LOST AS A RESULT OF HER CONVICTION OF THE OFFENSE ABOVE SET OUT IN A COURT IN CAUSE NO. F-0325626-IP, IN DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS.
I HEREBY DIRECT that a copy of this proclamation be filed in the office of the Secretary of State.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed hereon, this the 14th day of January, 2020.
Governor Greg Abbott
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