By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL/ Staff Writer

Registered sex offender Robbie Roper of Verbena and formerly Florida was arrested on Aug. 21 for disobeying SORNA law by living within close proximity to a school and failing to register with the county.

The Chilton County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that a possible sex offender was living next to Verbena Annex School, according to a CCSO press release.
Deputies and Investigator Derrick Bone responded to 4640 Highway 31 in Verbena at midnight on Aug. 18, where they located and made contact with Roper, according to CCSO.

Bone determined that Roper was a registered sex offender from Florida who did not register with or notify the CCSO.

According to Sheriff John Shearon, a press release stated, Alabama SORNA law prohibits a sex offender to reside within 2,000 feet of a school or licensed daycare.

Not only do the property lines connect and the residence driveway is located next to the school, but deputy measurements determined that Roper’s front door is approximately 180 feet from the nearest school playground equipment, the release states.

“Robbie Roper was arrested for failure to register with local law enforcement and sex offender living in a prohibited residence location,” the release states, further emphasizing that both violations are class C felonies.

According to CCSO, Shearon said sex offenders must obey SORNA law or be arrested.