On 9/14/15 at 2:51 P.M., staff with the Columbia Public Schools reported a suspicious person at 3700 Woodland Drive, Blue Ridge Elementary School. Officers were advised the male subject was confronted by security at the school when he was observed near the playground. The subject left the area on foot.
At approximately 3:28 P.M., the male subject entered 3405 Oakland Place, Oakland Middle School, as school was dismissing. The subject proceeded to enter the bathroom for several minutes and then exited the bathroom and the building. According to video surveillance, school officials reported it appeared no students entered or exited the bathroom while the subject was inside. Students were participating in after school athletics outside when two male juvenile victims observed the subject in the parking lot. One victim observed the subject begin to drop his pants and the other victim observed the subject drop his pants and expose himself to the juvenile. School staff escorted the students away as the suspect fled the area on foot. Schools officials maintained consistent contact with the Columbia Police Department, as well as surrounding schools during the investigation and search for the suspect.
At approximately 7:30 P.M., while patrolling the area, officers observed the suspect near Tenth Street and Broadway where he was arrested without incident. The suspect is Roger Dwayne Paris, 25, of Columbia. He was arrested for Felony Sexual Misconduct in the First Degree with a bond of $4,500.00, Felony Attempted Sexual Misconduct in the First Degree with a bond of $4,500.00, and two (2) counts of Misdemeanor Trespassing with a total bond of $1,000.00.
With diligence and keen observations by school officials, and the cooperative efforts with the Columbia Police Department, this potentially dangerous individual was quickly apprehended before any further harm occurred.
2015-010283 & 2015-010285