Opelika Man Charged with 4 Felony Counts of Sexual Abuse

Authorities say the 36-year-old suspect was arrested after a victim reported abuse spanning several years.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:18pm

An extreme close-up photograph of a handcuff key against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the serious and gritty nature of a sexual abuse investigation.A key piece of evidence in a sexual abuse investigation exposes the harsh realities of such crimes.Opelika Today

A 36-year-old Opelika, Alabama man has been charged with one count of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sodomy following an investigation into reports of sexual abuse that allegedly occurred over a period of several years. Navion Raye Cooper was arrested on April 9 and is currently being held in the Lee County Jail.

Why it matters

Sexual abuse cases can have a devastating impact on victims and the broader community. This arrest highlights the importance of reporting abuse, the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to investigate such crimes, and the need for support services to help survivors heal.

The details

According to the Opelika Police Department, the investigation was launched on March 25 after a victim contacted authorities to report the abuse. Detectives then worked the case for two weeks before taking Cooper into custody on April 9.

  • The investigation was launched on March 25, 2026.
  • Cooper was arrested on April 9, 2026.

The players

Navion Raye Cooper

A 36-year-old Opelika, Alabama resident who has been charged with one count of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sodomy.

Opelika Police Department

The law enforcement agency that launched the investigation and made the arrest in this case.

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What’s next

Cooper is currently being held in the Lee County Jail, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information about the case to come forward.

The takeaway

This arrest underscores the importance of reporting sexual abuse and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to investigate such crimes and hold perpetrators accountable, while also highlighting the need for support services to help survivors heal from the trauma.