Gainesville man arrested for allegedly ramming victim’s vehicle and endangering infant

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Marlin D. Roper, 31, was arrested early this morning after allegedly following a woman in his vehicle, intentionally ramming her vehicle, and driving without properly securing an infant in a car seat.

At about 12:03 a.m. on October 15, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the 3600 block of SW 13th Street, where the victim said she and Roper had been arguing by text message while she was at work, and Roper drove to her workplace with a two-month-old infant in his vehicle. The victim said that when she left work, Roper followed her in his vehicle and intentionally rammed her vehicle several times. The deputy reported that the damage on the victim’s vehicle was consistent with her story.

The victim said Roper aggressively followed her until they pulled over at a business on SW 13th Street and argued verbally. The victim called 911 from that location and said Roper had thrown objects at her and threatened to stab the infant, and then he drove away without properly securing the infant in a child seat. The victim drove to a different business, and Roper allegedly followed, got out of his vehicle with the child, and continued to argue with her, but he left before the deputy arrived; the victim said that Roper again drove away without properly securing the infant.

Deputies located Roper at a family member’s residence and reportedly found his vehicle parked in the yard, with front-end damage that was consistent with the victim’s story. The engine was warm to the touch, and Roper reportedly had the keys in his possession.

Post Miranda, Roper reportedly denied all of the allegations and said he had never left the house.

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.