Denver human trafficker sentenced to record 448 years in prison

A Denver judge on Thursday handed down what is believed to be the longest sentence for a human trafficking conviction in U.S. history: 448 years.

Robert Hawkins, a 44-year-old Denver man, was sentenced Thursday to a historic 448 years in prison on a series of charges, including human trafficking, pimping, sexual assault and sexual exploitation, records show judicial.

The sentence is not only the longest on record in Colorado, but also in the United States, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Colorado's previous sentencing record was 401 years after a sentencing adjustment in Arapahoe County, Denver Chief Deputy District Attorney Lara Mullin said at a news conference Thursday.

Hawkins' 448-year sentence includes an additional 200 years for other charges that he will serve concurrently, Mullin said.

Between 2018 and 2021, Hawkins exploited four adult women and two children in Denver, using physical violence and threats to keep the victims under his control and profiting from the sale of their bodies, according to a press release from the office of the Denver District Attorney. Hawkins also shot a sex buyer after dropping off one of the victims.

“Like most human traffickers, Robert Hawkins showed no respect for anyone but himself, taking advantage of six extremely vulnerable victims,” Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said in the press release. “This conviction should send the message that human trafficking, in any form, will not be allowed in Denver under any circumstances and that those convicted of this crime will pay a high price. »

A jury found Hawkins guilty in March of 18 counts, including three counts of adult trafficking, one count of child trafficking, four counts of adult pimping, one count of child pimping, one count of sexual assault of a child and two counts of first-degree assault, according to a statement from the Denver District Attorney's Office.

In a search affidavit, one of the victims described Hawkins as “her master,” describing how the girls – including one as young as 13 – were forced to prepare her meals and earn money for him through commercial sex acts.

“The girls were required to earn at least $500 per day,” the affidavit states. “They also had to set a quota of $5,000 to gain Hawkins’ trust. This quota was intended to help pay for a fake ID and birth certificate so the girls could travel and engage in sex work in California.

One of the victims told police she tried to take Hawkins' car and escape the apartment, but the man caught up with her and physically attacked her as punishment, the affidavit states.