July 31, 2023

WALTON COUNTY, Fla— Deputies make a gruesome discovery during a sex offender check in DeFuniak Springs.

On Friday, July 29^th Walton County Sheriff’s Deputies were attempting to conduct a sex offender check on Eric Antonio Roberts, 49, of Honeysuckle Street in DeFuniak Springs when they noticed a strong odor coming from inside the residence.

Due to the inability to make contact with the offender and verify his well-being, entry was made into the home where deputies found two dogs inside a kennel clearly deceased.

The animals were chained together using a padlock and did not have access to food or water. The electricity had been turned off inside the home and the back door had also been padlocked.

Deputies checked with local hospitals and family in an effort to locate Roberts.

Roberts was located a short time later at a gas station on Highway 90. He confirmed his address and that the dogs were his. When being taken under arrest, Roberts immediately started to reach toward his pocket. Cocaine was located inside a glasses case Roberts attempted to retrieve during his arrest.

Roberts is charged with two counts of aggravated animal cruelty and possession of cocaine. He was issued a $15,000 bond and is still incarcerated at the time of this release.