John Anthony Roper Jr., 49, was being held at the Oconee County Detention Center this week after being charged with kidnapping and second-degree domestic violence in connection with an alleged assault at his Lakeshore Lane home. He was booked at about 3:36 p.m. Sunday; drug charges were added soon afterward.
The Oconee County Sheriff's Office said the case came to light Sunday morning, when a patrol deputy spoke with an adult woman who had gone to Roper's home near Tokeena Crossroads the previous day to collect belongings. The deputy observed injuries that the office said were consistent with an assault.
According to the arrest warrants, Roper took the woman's phone and keys and used force to stop her from leaving or contacting anyone for help. The warrants allege she was confined for about 13 hours, struck with hands and restrained, and sustained multiple injuries.
Drugs and Steroids Found During Warrant Service
Deputies with the Uniform Patrol Bureau arrested Roper while serving the warrants. The sheriff's office said they found methamphetamine and anabolic steroids in his possession. Investigators then obtained two more warrants, charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of about 79 doses of anabolic steroids, a controlled substance.
The sheriff's office said investigators consulted a judge before the kidnapping and domestic-violence warrants were issued. Roper received a combined $35,000 surety bond on those charges. The office said bond had not been set on the drug charges when it issued its statement.
Electronic Monitoring Required If Released
Should Roper be released from jail, he will be required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of his bond, the sheriff's office said. The Oconee County Sheriff's Office said its investigation into the case is continuing.
Statewide data and local support
The South Carolina Attorney General's Office reported that 46 people were murdered by a household member in 2024. Those figures concern domestic homicides, not nonfatal allegations such as those in this case, and do not describe the outcome of this investigation. For people seeking help in Oconee County, Safe Harbor says it serves survivors of domestic abuse and their children through a 24/7 help line, emergency shelter, counseling and other support services.
