Mary Cosby’s Son Pleads Guilty to Assault, Protective-Order Violations in Utah Case

By Blessing Nweke

Robert Cosby Jr., the son of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Mary Cosby, has pleaded guilty to multiple misdemeanor charges, including assault and violating protective orders, according to newly filed court documents. The 23 year old entered the plea on Nov. 25 in Salt Lake County District Court, resolving a sprawling series of cases tied to incidents between September and November.

Cosby had originally faced more than a dozen charges related to repeated violations of orders to stay away from his wife, Alexiana Smokoff. As part of a plea agreement, he admitted to two counts of violating a pretrial protective order and to assaulting a peace officer. A felony charge of property damage of at least $5,000 was held in abeyance and will be dismissed if he completes all requirements of the agreement. Several other charges — including criminal trespass, interference with an officer, and failure to comply with law-enforcement commands — were dismissed with prejudice.

The cases stem from a series of arrests beginning Sept. 5, when Cosby was booked on a misdemeanor domestic-violence allegation involving his wife. Two days later, he was accused of attempting to enter his father-in-law’s home through a dog door and assaulting him. Police also said Cosby repeatedly contacted Smokoff in violation of his jail-release agreement.

Despite being served with protective orders in mid-September and early October, Cosby allegedly continued to contact his wife, requesting to follow her on Instagram and sending food to her home. On Nov. 9, he was arrested again after allegedly damaging a vehicle belonging to his mother-in-law and biting a responding officer.

Cosby, who promised to pay full restitution, remains in jail after a judge denied pretrial release. His sentencing is set for Feb. 3. His attorney, Clayton Simms, said Cosby has accepted responsibility and hopes for release at sentencing.

Cosby’s guilty plea came one day after Smokoff filed for divorce. Mary Cosby has previously said her son’s earlier arrest “was for his good,” noting his struggles with substance abuse and mental health.