In the early hours of October 15, an unsettling incident unfolded in Gainesville, Florida, resulting in the arrest of 31-year-old Marlin D. Roper. The confrontation involved a vehicular pursuit, alleged ramming of a vehicle, and the troubling issue of an unsecured infant in a car seat.

At around 12:03 a.m., an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a call on the 3600 block of SW 13th Street. The victim recounted a disturbing series of events that began with a heated text message exchange with Roper while she was at work. Apparently, Roper drove to her workplace with a two-month-old infant in tow. As the victim left her job, Roper allegedly followed her, deliberately colliding with her car multiple times. The deputy on the scene confirmed that the damage to the victim’s vehicle aligned with her account.

The incident escalated as Roper reportedly pursued the victim aggressively until they both stopped at a business along SW 13th Street. There, the confrontation turned verbal, and the victim dialed 911, claiming Roper hurled objects at her and even threatened harm to the infant. Despite these threats, Roper is said to have departed the scene, again failing to secure the child properly in a safety seat.

The victim relocated to another business, with Roper allegedly trailing her. Upon arrival, he exited his vehicle with the infant and continued the argument but left before law enforcement could reach them. Once more, the child was reportedly not secured correctly in the car.

Authorities eventually tracked Roper to a relative’s home, where they discovered his vehicle parked in the yard. The car’s front-end damage corresponded with the victim’s description of events, and the engine was still warm, suggesting recent use. Roper was found with the car keys in his possession, further corroborating the victim’s account.

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.