By Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Marlin D. Roper, aged 31, was taken into custody early this morning after accusations surfaced that he stalked a woman by car, deliberately crashed into her vehicle, and failed to properly secure a two-month-old infant in a car seat.
The incident unfolded shortly after midnight on October 15, when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call from the 3600 block of SW 13th Street. The victim reported that a text message argument with Roper, which began while she was at work, escalated when Roper showed up at her workplace with the infant in his car. As she left work, Roper allegedly followed her and repeatedly rammed her vehicle. The deputy observed damage on her car that corroborated her account.
The situation intensified as Roper reportedly continued to pursue the victim until they stopped at a business along SW 13th Street, where a verbal altercation ensued. The victim dialed 911, claiming that Roper had thrown objects at her, threatened to harm the infant, and then drove off without securing the child properly in a car seat. She moved her vehicle to another location, only to be followed by Roper, who allegedly continued the argument before departing again without ensuring the infant’s safety in the vehicle.
Authorities tracked Roper to a relative’s home, where they found his vehicle parked with front-end damage matching the victim’s description. The car’s engine was reportedly still warm, and Roper had the keys on him.
After being read his Miranda rights, Roper denied all allegations, claiming he had not left the house that night.
The deputy reported that the victim showed him her text messages, which showed that the two had been arguing before the incident. Surveillance video at the second business reportedly showed Roper there, arguing with the victim and holding the infant.
Roper has been charged with domestic aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and child neglect without great bodily harm. Locally, he has one felony conviction (non-violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (non-violent). Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
