In a Dallas courtroom, 34-year-old James Robertson received a sentence of 50 years for a series of violent crimes committed in April 2023. Robertson faced charges including burglary of a habitation with intent for sexual offenses, arson, criminal mischief exceeding $300,000, and theft of property between $30,000 and $150,000.
During his week-long spree, Robertson targeted multiple victims in their homes.
On Saturday, April 16, 2024, at 3:00 AM, a victim woke up in her apartment to a stranger pulling her hands and taking her into the living room. Before the victim could pull away the stranger, Defendant James Robertson, pushed her onto a couch and began to choke her with both of his hands. Despite her trying to push him away, the defendant overpowered the victim and attacked her. As the defendant attempted to take off the victim’s shorts, she pushed the defendant off and run away.
Just two days later, on April 18, 2023, Robertson broke into another woman's apartment at 5:00 AM while she slept. The victim was awaken to a stranger covering her mouth with his hand. Robertson held an unknown metal object to victim’s throat and threatened to kill her. As she attempted to escape, he began punching her in the face. The victim continued to resist and eventually got to her feet when Robertson began securing her hands with plastic zip ties. She then broke away from his grip and ran to her kitchen where she retrieved two kitchen knives and started to swing them at Robertson as he approached her. The victim made contact with the attacker by stabbing him in the neck which caused him to flee the apartment.
When the victim went to call 911 she realized her cell phone was missing. She walked to the parking structure closest to her apartment to seek help. Once in the structure, she saw Robertson in the driver’s seat of her vehicle. Robertson stated she could have her cell phone and car back if she brought him a set of keys that he had dropped in her apartment. She retrieved the keys and threw them on the parking garage floor. Robertson ran and the victim took a photo of him with her cell phone as he ran away.
Earlier in the spree, Robertson was involved in an arson incident at a business along the I30 service road. The incident occurred on April 12, 2023, when an Officer observed a black Chevy Silverado stopped in the right lane of the service road. The Officer started following the truck and observed black smoke coming from a nearby business and then saw flames coming from the roof of DFW Camper Corral. Around the Camper Corral, officers observed the gate on the southwest corner of the building was damaged. Robertson was identified as the culprit and arrested.
During the trial, Assistant District Attorney Klarissa Diaz led the prosecution, supported by DA Investigator Abigail Cruz and Victim Advocate Adriana Sellers. The court heard detailed testimony from the victims, who bravely recounted their harrowing experiences.
Robertson pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 50 years in prison for each offense, to be served concurrently.
The case was investigated by the Dallas Police Department.
