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Police: Sex Predator Exposes Himself, Gets Arrested

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TBO.com

Published: January 30, 2009

Eric Roper

A registered sexual predator attempted to get a 12-year-old girl into his car and exposed himself to her today, Polk County deputies say.

Polk County detectives have arrested Eric Roper, 28, who has no known address.

The incident started when the girl was walking to school on Long Street and saw a two-door car pull alongside her.

Roper asked her if she wanted a ride, and she told him to leave her alone or she would call police, according to a sheriff's office news release. Instead, he exposed himself to the girl and asked her a lewd question, the sheriff's office said.

The girl ran away and asked someone at a nearby house to call police.

Combee Elementary School were told be on the lookout.

An investigation led detectives to Department of Probation and Parole, where Roper is registered as a sexual predator and must wear a tracking device. A check of his tracking device confirmed he was in that area during the incident, deputies say.

"Detectives interviewed Roper's girlfriend, who told them that Roper had admitted to her what he had done that morning, and that it was 'stupid.'" the release states.

Roper was charged with one count of lewd exhibition and one count of armed kidnapping.

Sheriff Grady Judd said the girl made smart decisions.

"She kept her wits about her and was able to give our detectives enough information that ultimately led to this sexual predator's arrest," Judd said in the release. "His outrageous and vile conduct is further proof that sexual predators cannot be rehabilitated, which is why we focus our efforts on putting those who prey on our children behind bars where they belong."

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