LAKE PROVIDENCE, La. (A) -- A man convicted of multiple charges that include starting a fire that nearly destroyed the Panola Pepper Co. plant and raping a woman has been sentenced to life plus 62 years in prison.
Roy Hopkins, 33, of Lake Providence, received the life term Monday for aggravated rape, 45 years for an armed robbery charge, five years for accessory after the fact to simple arson and 12 years for simple burglary of the plant.
Assistant District Attorney Laurie Brister said the rape victim, who was in the Air Force and stationed in Oklahoma, was en route to visit her husband when she stopped in East Carroll Parish to check into a motel where she was robbed and raped.
Five people were indicted in connection with a crime spree on Dec. 29-29, 2001, that included the fire and rape.
Hopkins' older brother, Willie Earl Hopkins, 40, was sentenced in May to life plus 75 years.
Trial is pending for Ronald Coleman, 32, of College Park, Ga. Two other men - James Hopkins, 35, another of Hopkins' brothers, and Ronnie Barnes, 32 - are awaiting sentencing under plea bargains in which they agreed to testify for the prosecution.
The pepper company plant has been rebuilt.
