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'''Steven Roberts''' is an American politician serving in the 5th district of the [[Missouri Senate]]. Roberts' election on January 6, 2021 made him the youngest black State Senator in Missouri history.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schallhorn|first=Kaitlyn|date=2021-01-04|title=Steven Roberts makes Missouri Senate history while focused on responsibility|url=https://themissouritimes.com/steven-roberts-makes-missouri-senate-history-while-focused-on-responsibility/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Missouri Times|language=en}}</ref> Roberts previously served in the [[Missouri House of Representatives]] from 2017-2021.While in the House, he was selected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus. Roberts is also a member of the Air National Guard. |
'''Steven Roberts''' is an American [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] politician serving in the 5th district of the [[Missouri Senate]]. Roberts' election on January 6, 2021 made him the youngest black State Senator in Missouri history.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schallhorn|first=Kaitlyn|date=2021-01-04|title=Steven Roberts makes Missouri Senate history while focused on responsibility|url=https://themissouritimes.com/steven-roberts-makes-missouri-senate-history-while-focused-on-responsibility/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=The Missouri Times|language=en}}</ref> Roberts previously served in the [[Missouri House of Representatives]] from 2017-2021.While in the House, he was selected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus. Roberts is also a member of the Air National Guard. |
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Roberts currently serves as the [[Whip (politics)|Minority Whip]] of the Missouri Senate. |
Roberts currently serves as the [[Whip (politics)|Minority Whip]] of the Missouri Senate. |
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== Early Life and Education == |
== Early Life and Education == |
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Steven Craig Roberts, II was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Eva Frazer and Steven Craig Roberts, Sr. Eva Frazer is a medical doctor while Roberts, Sr. is an attorney, former St. Louis alderman, and businessman. |
Steven Craig Roberts, II was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Eva Frazer and Steven Craig Roberts, Sr. Eva Frazer is a medical doctor while Roberts, Sr. is an attorney, former St. Louis alderman, and businessman. |
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== Early Career == |
== Early Career == |
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After completing law school, Roberts joined AP Wireless Infrastructure Partners, LLC, where he was a member of a team of attorneys responsible for managing over $200 million of company assets. Following the death of Michael Brown and subsequent civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014, Roberts returned to St. Louis where he worked as a city prosecutor. During that time, he participated in over 100 cases, ranging from minor weapons offenses to homicides.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://themissouritimes.com/state-representative-steve-roberts-commissioned-as-officer-in-the-u-s-air-force/}}</ref> |
After completing law school, Roberts joined AP Wireless Infrastructure Partners, LLC, where he was a member of a team of attorneys responsible for managing over $200 million of company assets. Following the death of Michael Brown and subsequent civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014, Roberts returned to St. Louis where he worked as a city prosecutor. During that time, he participated in over 100 cases, ranging from minor weapons offenses to homicides.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://themissouritimes.com/state-representative-steve-roberts-commissioned-as-officer-in-the-u-s-air-force/}}</ref> |
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== Sexual Assault and Rape Allegations == |
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=== 2015 Arrest for Sexual Assault === |
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Steven Roberts was arrested by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department on April 24, 2015 for sexual assault and forcibly touching a St. Louis University student in a downtown bar on April 16, 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Messenger|first=Tony|title=Messenger: Rape allegation inspires previous Roberts accuser to speak up|language=en|work=STLtoday.com|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-rape-allegation-inspires-previous-roberts-accuser-to-speak-up/article_2715bf9f-968f-5f04-96c3-be7f075258b8.html|access-date=2022-02-06}}</ref> |
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The police report detailed, "the victim described how the suspect [Steven Roberts] touched her on her vaginal region over her clothing as well as attempting to place his hand inside of her pants and underwear.”<ref>{{Cite web|last=Messenger|first=Tony|title=Messenger: Rape allegation inspires previous Roberts accuser to speak up|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-rape-allegation-inspires-previous-roberts-accuser-to-speak-up/article_2715bf9f-968f-5f04-96c3-be7f075258b8.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=STLtoday.com|language=en}}</ref> The student, Amy Harms, later made her accusation public and filed a new civil suit against Roberts in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Messenger|first=Tony|title=Messenger: St. Louis attorney heads to court to tell her 'me, too' story|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-st-louis-attorney-heads-to-court-to-tell-her-me-too-story/article_53034c4a-3c49-5c7e-a866-0d333500d42c.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=STLtoday.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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=== 2016 Rape Allegation from State Representative === |
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In 2016, incoming State Representative Cora Faith Walker publicly accused Steven Roberts of rape. Walker first detailed the sexual assault in a letter to Missouri House of Representatives Minority Leader Jake Hummel and Assistant Minority Leader Gail McCann Beatty:<ref>{{Cite news|title=In ‘serious and disturbing’ letter, incoming Missouri lawmaker accuses another of raping her|language=en-US|work=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/10/02/in-serious-and-disturbing-letter-incoming-missouri-lawmaker-accuses-another-of-raping-her/|access-date=2022-02-06|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> |
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{{Blockquote|text=My name is Cora Faith Walker. I will be in the Capitol in January as the Representative of the 74th District. |
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Earlier this week, I reported a sexual assault to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. I named my rapist as Steven Roberts, Jr., who hopes to be in the Capitol next year as the Representative of the 77th District. |
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While I initially did so using the anonymity that state law correctly offers accusers as an option, I ultimately decided to press charges, in the interest of my own safety and the safety of others. Pressing charges and speaking publicly was, and is, a difficult decision. However, I am empowered by the support of my husband, my family, my friends, and by several of my future colleagues and former members. I specifically authorize you to name me and to tell people about this letter. |
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As you are aware, I am not the first woman to accuse Mr. Roberts of sexual assault.|author=Excerpt of letter from Cora Faith Walker, State Representative-Elect, District 74}} |
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In a subsequent interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Walker said the alleged assault took place either the evening of Aug. 26 or the early morning of Aug. 27 at an apartment in the city of St. Louis. Walker said she met Roberts at an apartment about 9:30 p.m. Walker said she had two glasses of wine and remembers nothing after the second glass. She woke up in a bed there the next morning, recalling that she “had no recollection of why I was still there."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Messenger|first=Tony|title=Messenger: Incoming Missouri rep accuses St. Louis colleague of rape|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-incoming-missouri-rep-accuses-st-louis-colleague-of-rape/article_e4495228-5d50-5471-8e3b-a89eeeee1d7c.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=STLtoday.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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Roberts filed a defamation lawsuit against Walker. Following this legal action, Walker filed court documents denying Roberts’ defamation claim and counter-suing him for battery and infliction of emotional distress. Her response accused Roberts specifically of giving her a date-rape drug. She called his suit “false and malicious” and “an attempt to intimidate and distract” from his conduct toward her “and other women in the past.”<ref>{{Cite web|last=Currier|first=Joel|title=One Missouri legislator renews rape accusation against another, claims she was drugged|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/one-missouri-legislator-renews-rape-accusation-against-another-claims-she-was-drugged/article_714a3d7c-ff63-5a53-bfe4-28d3a7c2ebc1.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=STLtoday.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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In 2019, both Roberts and Walker dropped their legal actions in St. Louis Circuit Court and their lawyers released a joint statement. The joint statement said, “the parties have resolved this matter to their mutual satisfaction. They will be dismissing their respective claims. No money was paid in exchange for the dismissal of the parties’ claims."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Holleman|first=Joe|title=Missouri state legislators who sued each other over rape claim dismiss lawsuits|language=en|work=STLtoday.com|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/joe-holleman/missouri-state-legislators-who-sued-each-other-over-rape-claim/article_027cdd01-312e-5ff6-b9d1-6897ff6e01db.html|access-date=2022-02-06}}</ref> |
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== Firing from Circuit Attorney' Office == |
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Roberts was serving as St. Louis Assistant Circuit Attorney when he was arrested for sexual assault in April of 2015. Following the arrest, Roberts was suspended by the Circuit Attorney’s Office. During his suspension, the Circuit Attorney’s Office launched an independent investigation into Roberts. Jillian S. Anderson, an assistant prosecuting attorney in St. Charles County, served as the outside investigator.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Byers|first=Robert Patrick, Christine|title=St. Louis assistant circuit attorney won't be prosecuted|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-assistant-circuit-attorney-wont-be-prosecuted/article_559e06d0-da9a-5113-bf85-925811face36.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=STLtoday.com|language=en}}</ref> Following Anderson's investigation, the office deferred prosecution of Roberts and ended his suspension. |
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In October of 2015, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce fired Roberts from the office. While Roberts' spokesperson claimed the office did not provide a reason for firing him, Circuit Attorney Joyce stated, “we can say conclusively that his termination was a result of his poor performance. No other factors were involved.”<ref>{{Cite web|last=Patrick|first=Robert|title=St. Louis circuit attorney fires prosecutor running to replace her|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-circuit-attorney-fires-prosecutor-running-to-replace-her/article_237b7adc-4af1-5f58-88a8-dcad31556a18.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=STLtoday.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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Joyce also further elaborated that Roberts was “provided written notice of his performance issues and he has met dozens of times with his supervisors who worked diligently to help him succeed at the office. The Circuit Attorney’s Office has been more than fair with Mr. Roberts, including allowing him to return to the office after no charges were filed following his recent arrest.”<ref>{{Cite web|last=Patrick|first=Robert|title=St. Louis circuit attorney fires prosecutor running to replace her|url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-circuit-attorney-fires-prosecutor-running-to-replace-her/article_237b7adc-4af1-5f58-88a8-dcad31556a18.html|access-date=2022-02-06|website=STLtoday.com|language=en}}</ref> |
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== Electoral history == |
== Electoral history == |
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Revision as of 05:56, 15 February 2022
Steve Roberts | |
|---|---|
| File:Steven Roberts 2021.jpg | |
| Member of the Missouri Senate from the 5th district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Jamilah Nasheed |
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 77th district | |
| In office 2017–2021 | |
| Succeeded by | Kimberly-Ann Collins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1988 or 1989 (age 35–36)[1] St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Air National Guard |
Steven Roberts is an American Democratic politician serving in the 5th district of the Missouri Senate. Roberts' election on January 6, 2021 made him the youngest black State Senator in Missouri history.[2] Roberts previously served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2017-2021.While in the House, he was selected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus. Roberts is also a member of the Air National Guard.
Roberts currently serves as the Minority Whip of the Missouri Senate.
Early Life and Education
Steven Craig Roberts, II was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Eva Frazer and Steven Craig Roberts, Sr. Eva Frazer is a medical doctor while Roberts, Sr. is an attorney, former St. Louis alderman, and businessman.
Roberts is a fourth-generation St. Louis native. His grandparents and parents overcame segregation and discrimination. Roberts credits their experiences for his development of strong civic responsibility and social justice.[3]
Roberts graduated from the University of Miami in with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Communication Studies. He then received his Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. While in law school, Roberts worked in the U.S. Congress as a legislative intern; as a certified law clerk with the District Attorney’s Office in Compton, California; and assisted the Counsel to Secure Justice in New Delhi, India, to help victims of violent sexual assault. During his final semester, Roberts worked with a clinic in Los Angeles, California that assisted with refugees fleeing persecution obtain asylum in the United States.[3]
Early Career
After completing law school, Roberts joined AP Wireless Infrastructure Partners, LLC, where he was a member of a team of attorneys responsible for managing over $200 million of company assets. Following the death of Michael Brown and subsequent civil unrest in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014, Roberts returned to St. Louis where he worked as a city prosecutor. During that time, he participated in over 100 cases, ranging from minor weapons offenses to homicides.[4]
Electoral history
Roberts defeated three opponents during the 2016 Missouri House of Representatives District 77 Democratic primary. He ran unopposed in the General Election. Incumbent Roberts then defeated Kimberly-Ann Collins in his second Democratic primary on August 7, 2018 and won the General Election on November 6, 2018.[5]
Roberts ran for the Missouri Senate’s 5th District in 2020, defeating five democratic opponents on the August 5, 2020 primary, before defeating Michael J. Hebron, Sr. in the general election with over (87%) of the vote.[6]
COVID-19 response
Since February 2022, Steven Roberts has hosted over a dozen COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics, primarily focusing in St. Louis City’s most underserved communities, such as the 63113 and 63115 area codes.[7]
Military service
Roberts joined the Missouri Air National Guard in 2018. After completing the Total Force Officer Training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Roberts was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force; dually serving as both a member of the Missouri Air National Guard as well as a member of the United States Air Force.[8]
Roberts was promoted to the rank of Captain after graduating from the United States Air Force’s Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course (JASOC) in 2021.[3]
Political Career
Roberts was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2016 and served 2 two-year terms in Missouri’s 77th House District. In 2020, Roberts successfully ran for the Missouri Senate’s 5th District.
Missouri House of Representatives
Roberts defeated three opponents during the 2016 Missouri House of Representatives District 77 Democratic primary. He ran unopposed in the General Election. Incumbent Roberts then defeated Kimberly-Ann Collins in his second Democratic primary on August 7, 2018, and won the General Election on November 6, 2018.[9]
State Representative
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Roberts | 1,900 | 39.57% | N/A | |
| Democratic | John Collins-Muhammad | 1,280 | 26.66% | N/A | |
| Democratic | Jesse Todd | 966 | 20.12% | N/A | |
| Democratic | Brian Elsesser | 656 | 13.66% | N/A | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Roberts | 12,142 | 100% | N/A | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Roberts | 3,212 | 53.01% | +13.44 | |
| Democratic | Kimberly-Ann Collins | 2,847 | 46.99% | N/A | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Roberts | 10,834 | 100% | 0 | |
Missouri Senate
Roberts ran for the Missouri Senate’s 5th District in 2020, defeating five democratic opponents on the August 5, 2020 primary, before defeating Michael J. Hebron, Sr. in the general election with over (87%) of the vote.[9]
State Senate
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Roberts | 12,293 | 35.43% | N/A | |
| Democratic | Megan Ellyia Green | 11,241 | 32.40% | N/A | |
| Democratic | Michelle Sherod | 7,817 | 22.53% | N/A | |
| Democratic | William C. (Bill) Haas | 2,068 | 5.96% | N/A | |
| Democratic | Jeremiah Church | 893 | 2.57% | N/A | |
| Democratic | McFarlane Duncan | 387 | 1.11% | N/A | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Roberts | 56,379 | 87.10% | ||
| Republican | Michael Hebron | 8,349 | 12.90% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
Committee membership
Missouri House of Representatives
Judiciary[10]
Utilities[11]
Workforce Development[12]
Special Committee on Criminal Justice, Ranking Minority Member[13]
Missouri Senate
Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight[14]
Insurance and Banking[15]
Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence[16]
Seniors, Families, Veterans and Military Affairs[17]
Ways and Means[18]
Select Committee on Redistricting[19]
Joint Committee on Government Accountability[20]
Joint Committee on Legislative Research[21]
Joint Committee on Legislative Research – Revision Subcommittee[22]
Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission
References
- ^ Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (2021-01-04). "Steven Roberts makes Missouri Senate history while focused on responsibility". The Missouri Times. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
- ^ Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (2021-01-04). "Steven Roberts makes Missouri Senate history while focused on responsibility". The Missouri Times. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
- ^ a b c https://www.senate.mo.gov/mem05/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ https://themissouritimes.com/state-representative-steve-roberts-commissioned-as-officer-in-the-u-s-air-force/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ https://ballotpedia.org/Steve_Roberts_(Missouri_state_legislator).
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ [Roberts ran for the Missouri Senate’s 5th District in 2020, defeating five democratic opponents on the August 5, 2020 primary, before defeating Michael J. Hebron, Sr. in the general election with over (87%) of the vote. Roberts ran for the Missouri Senate’s 5th District in 2020, defeating five democratic opponents on the August 5, 2020 primary, before defeating Michael J. Hebron, Sr. in the general election with over (87%) of the vote.]
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Gerber, Cameron (May 6, 2020). "St. Louis representative organizes COVID-19 testing center". the missouritimes.com. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ "State Representative Steve Roberts Commissioned as Officer in the U.S. Air Force". The Missouri Times. 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ a b "Steve Roberts (Missouri state legislator)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Missouri House of Representative - Committees". house.mo.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Missouri House of Representative - Committees". house.mo.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Missouri House of Representative - Committees". house.mo.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Missouri House of Representative - Committees". house.mo.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight – Missouri Senate". Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Insurance and Banking – Missouri Senate". Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence – Missouri Senate". Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Seniors, Families, Veterans and Military Affairs – Missouri Senate". Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Ways and Means – Missouri Senate". Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Select Committee on Redistricting – Missouri Senate". Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Joint Committee on Government Accountability – Missouri Senate". Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Joint Committee on Legislative Research – Missouri Senate". Retrieved 2022-02-14.
- ^ "Joint Committee on Legislative Research – Revision Subcommittee – Missouri Senate". Retrieved 2022-02-14.