Prosecutor: Dothan business owner commits suicide after sending harassing, anonymous and sexually explicit letters

Sam Robinson (January 2015)

DOTHAN, Alabama (WDHN) – A Dothan businessman took his own life last month after learning his arrest was imminent on charges of sending sexually explicit letters to a woman, the Houston County District Attorney’s Office confirmed.

Houston County Sheriff Russ Goodman told WDHN that Sam Robinson, owner of Dixie Fence Company, died in his business on May 22 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to Goodman, shortly before his death, the DPD obtained 14 arrest warrants against Robinson for harassing communications after he allegedly sent “vulgar” letters to a woman beginning in October 2023. Her identity was not disclosed.

Goodman says the letters, signed “The Red Right Hand” and with false return addresses, included details of Robinson watching the victim from a distance and making several sexually explicit comments; however, the letters never contained threats of violence toward the victim. In total, fourteen letters were sent to the victim.

“Every letter represents an accusation,” said Goodman

After the victim filed a report, Dothan police launched an investigation.

According to Goodman, investigators identified Robinson as a suspect after a neighbor’s doorbell camera caught his truck driving through the neighborhood.

The district attorney said his office became aware of the case and recommended that investigators file misdemeanor charges against Robinson.