A jailer under Alamance County’s sheriff has been accused of smuggling drugs into the county’s detention center on behalf of an inmate with whom she allegedly had sexual relations.
Alberta Marie Hamn was ultimately taken into custody last Wednesday on a wide range of felony charges linked to her suspected relationship with Richard Montgomery Robertson, Jr., who is currently awaiting trial for first degree murder.
According to the sheriff’s office, Hamn’s arrest followed an inquiry that began more than a year ago when the sheriff’s office noticed illegal drugs making their way into the county’s detention center.
Court records indicate that the contraband at play in this case included Suboxone – a Schedule III controlled substance that’s classified as an opioid drug.
According to Hamn’s arrest warrant, the 40-year-old black female of 7650 Woodspring Drive, Whitsett, had conspired with Robertson and two other inmates to bring this particular drug into the detention center. On September 24, 2024, she allegedly handed the drugs over to Robertson, who was awaiting trial for several offenses, including a first degree murder charge that dates back to 2020.
In addition to this drug-running conspiracy, the sheriff’s investigation reportedly uncovered evidence of an inappropriate relationship between Robertson and Hamn. In a separate arrest warrant, the sheriff’s office contends that Hamn “willfully engaged in a sexual act” with the inmate while he was in her custody on July 1 of this year.
According to the sheriff’s office, Hamn, who had worked at the jail since November 22, 2021, has been charged with five separate felonies as a result of the agency’s internal inquiry. These charges include one count, apiece, of possession of controlled substance on jail premises; possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and distribute a Schedule III narcotic; conspiracy to sell and deliver a Schedule III controlled substance; and providing contraband to an inmate. She is also accused of engaging in an illegal sex act as the employee of a government institution.
Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office has charged Robertson with an additional felony for his alleged possession of a controlled substance inside the jail. A 36-year-old black male of 819 Durham Street, Burlington, Robertson has received an additional $50,000 on top of his existing bond, which includes $500,000 for the aforementioned murder charge. The bond for Hamn has been set at $200,000.
In an official statement last week, Sheriff Terry Johnson took a hard line on the charges that currently confront Hamn.
“I will not tolerate this type of criminal activity or behavior within the ranks of the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office,” he declared. “We will clean our own ‘house’ swiftly and bring charges when necessary.”
