BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. — A sheriff’s deputy with Jefferson County was arrested on charges that include rape and human trafficking, according to court records.
Robert Nicholas Lisle is charged with second-degree human trafficking, first-degree rape, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, and third-degree domestic violence-harassment.
The charges involve a woman documents identified as Lisle’s girlfriend.
Investigators allege Lisle obtained the woman for sexual servitude between July and August by threatening to report her to immigration officials and using blackmail to pressure her into sexual acts.
The first-degree rape charge stems from an incident that allegedly took place on July 15, where court documents say Lisle had sex with her by force.
More charges stem from an alleged Aug. 14 event. Investigators say Lisle barricaded the woman inside a bathroom and prevented her from leaving while attempting to force her to delete videos from her phone.
Documents also allege Lisle grabbed the woman by her ponytail and throat, attempted to unlock her phone using facial recognition, pushed her down, and struck her in an area she had recently undergone surgery.
Lisle has been placed on leave from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office while an administrative investigation is being conducted, according to Chief Deputy Henry Irby III.
A bond and Aniah’s Law hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 3 in Blount County District Court. His first call is scheduled for Oct. 7. The case is set to go before a grand jury Oct. 26.
