Steven Roberts (born 1988/1989)[1] is a 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] He serves as the Minority Whip of the Missouri Senate.
Steven Craig Roberts,II was born in St. Louis,Missouri to Eva Frazer,a medical doctor,and Steven Craig Roberts,Sr.,a former St. Louis alderman.[3]
Roberts graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Communication Studies and received his Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. 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. 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.[4]
After completing law school,Roberts joined AP Wireless Infrastructure Partners,LLC.[5]
Military career
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.[6]
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
Circuit Attorney's office
Roberts served as a St. Louis assistant circuit attorney when he was arrested for sexual assault in April 2015. Roberts was suspended by the Circuit Attorney’s Office and 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.[7] Following Anderson's investigation,the office deferred prosecution of Roberts and ended his suspension.
In October of 2015,St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce fired Roberts. 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.”[8]
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.”[9] Roberts maintains he was asked to resign after he began collecting campaign money to run for Circuit Attorney.[10][11]
Missouri Legislature
Roberts defeated three opponents during the 2016 Missouri House of Representatives District 77 Democratic primary and served 2 two-year terms. 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.[12] While in the House,he was selected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus.
In 2020,Roberts successfully ran for the Missouri Senate’s 5th District. In November 2024,he was selected as assistant minority floor leader.[13]
In February 2023,Roberts co-filed legislation with Brian Williams to compensate the wrongly accused and exonerated.[14]
In 2024,Roberts blocked four Mike Parson nominations from his district to state boards,alleging a lack of communication from the governor's office. Parson's press secretary told press that there had been communication,and that Roberts had advocated for positions for himself and his father.[15] All four nominees,including Lyda Krewson,were appointed later in the year.[16]
The April 2015 arrest by St. Louis Metropolitan Police was on suspicion of second degree sodomy toward Saint Louis University student Amy Harms a week prior.[20][21] In April 2017, the accuser's claim of infliction of emotional distress was also dismissed.[22] Roberts settled a civil case arising from the incident for $100,000.[23]
In 2016, incoming State Representative Cora Faith Walker accused Roberts of rape, which Roberts denied and, in response, filed a defamation lawsuit against Walker.[21][22] In 2019, both Roberts and Walker dropped their respective legal actions, with their lawyers saying: "No money was paid in exchange for the dismissal of the parties' claims."[24] The settlement required confidentiality from both parties, a $100,000 fine for each violation, and a statement in Walker's name disputing any claim of assault, which Roberts said the recently deceased Walker violated.[25]
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