DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — A Houston County jury on Friday, Jan. 16, convicted Robert James Suggs, 53, of Cottonwood on two felony counts of rape in the first degree.
Suggs was originally arrested in November 2024. Previous reports say the charges stem from allegations involving a 95-year-old woman from Cottonwood who suffered from dementia.
According to Sgt. Brandon Barnes with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Suggs picked the woman up in a golf cart and took her to Sealy Bales Creek to go fishing. They were neighbors at the time. Barnes said the first charge stemmed from that encounter, where Suggs removed an adult diaper to commit the assault. The victim had been diagnosed with dementia in 2016.
Sgt. Barnes noted the second charge came later the same day, when Suggs allegedly repeated the crime at the victim’s home.
Suggs was indicted by a grand jury in April 2025. Following Friday’s conviction, Barnes said, “She didn’t deserve what happened to her,” adding he was glad to see justice for the victim.
Sentencing has been set for Feb. 4, 2026 according to public records.
