MOBILE, AL – Ladarious Roper, 22, of Foley, Alabama, is headed to federal prison for over seven years after being sentenced today for possessing a firearm connected to a brazen shooting last October. Roper, a previously convicted felon, received 85 months (7 years and 1 month) in prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. The sentence was handed down by Chief Judge Beaverstock.
The October 11, 2024, incident unfolded when 911 dispatchers received reports of gunfire in Foley. A victim surfaced with a gunshot wound to the lower leg, claiming to have been ambushed by a masked assailant firing from a passing sedan. Witnesses described the shooter as wearing a red ski mask and wielding what appeared to be an AR-style pistol. The vehicle, a gold/beige Toyota Camry, was quickly located abandoned in a ditch, and four individuals were seen fleeing the scene.
Police quickly connected the Camry to Roper’s grandfather and, crucially, to Roper himself. A search of the immediate area yielded both the red ski mask and an AR-style pistol hidden in nearby bushes. A cell phone recovered from the vehicle proved to be the key that cracked the case. Roper, during questioning, even admitted the ski mask would contain his DNA – a fatal admission.
But the digital trail didn’t end there. A forensic examination of Roper’s phone revealed numerous videos depicting him handling a CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S2 Micro, a compact 9mm semi-automatic weapon capable of accepting high-capacity magazines. Investigators meticulously compared the firearm in the videos to the one recovered near the shooting scene, identifying unique characteristics that definitively linked the two. This wasn’t just possession; it was possession demonstrably linked to a violent act.
In addition to the prison sentence and supervised release, Chief Judge Beaverstock ordered Roper to pay $100 in special assessments and authorized the forfeiture of the firearm used in the crime. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama announced the sentencing, highlighting the case as part of “Operation Take Back America,” a federal initiative aimed at dismantling criminal organizations and protecting communities.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Foley Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the prosecution skillfully handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kacey Chappelear. Operation Take Back America, as described by the DOJ, seeks to combat illegal immigration, cartels, and violent crime through coordinated efforts from various federal task forces. This case serves as a stark reminder that illegal gun possession with ties to violence will be met with significant federal penalties.
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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