Legal troubles surrounding the family of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City standout Mary Cosby escalated this fall, culminating in her son, Robert Cosby Jr., pleading guilty to multiple charges tied to personal disputes and court order violations.
Court filings from Salt Lake County obtained by NBC News show that Cosby Jr., 23, reached a plea agreement on November 25, connected to a string of incidents involving his wife, Alexiana Smokoff.
As part of that deal, he admitted guilt to assault and two counts of violating a pretrial protective order.
Other pending allegations were dismissed outright, while one charge tied to significant property damage was placed on hold and could be dropped if court conditions are met.
The case unfolded over several weeks, beginning in early September when Cosby Jr. was taken into custody following what authorities described as a misdemeanor domestic violence investigation. Though released, his legal situation intensified just days later after prosecutors alleged he attempted to access his father-in-law’s home and ignored law enforcement commands at the scene.
From there, court records outline repeated violations of protective orders that barred Cosby Jr. from contacting his wife or coming near her residence. Despite being formally served with multiple orders, authorities claim he continued indirect communication efforts, including online activity and arranging deliveries to her home — actions cited as further violations.
The situation peaked in November when police responded to another domestic-related call in Taylorsville. According to a probable cause affidavit, Cosby Jr. allegedly damaged a vehicle belonging to a family member, resisted officers, and injured a police officer during the encounter. During questioning, he reportedly acknowledged being aware of the protective restrictions but chose to go to the residence regardless.
Cosby Jr. remains incarcerated after the court denied a request for pretrial release. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 3. His attorney, Clayton Simms, said his client accepted responsibility, explaining that Cosby Jr. struggled with the breakdown of his marriage and failed to respect boundaries imposed by the court. “That was a mistake, and he realizes that,” Simms said.
Mary Cosby has previously acknowledged her son’s struggles on Real Housewives, including discussions around substance abuse and mental health. During the show’s fifth-season reunion, she shared that Cosby Jr. had entered a rehabilitation program.
A representative for Mary Cosby declined to comment on the case.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or thehotline.org.
For substance abuse or mental health support, the SAMHSA National Helpline offers free, confidential assistance at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).