Earl Roscoe started out as the loan shark Mike Horton borrowed money from. When Mike sank deeper in debt Earl made him run packages around town for him, but when Mike refused Earl had shots fired at his wife Margo, and later had her pushed down a flight of stairs.
When Donna Craig wanted to be an actress/model Earl gave her the chance. However Earl had a different type of modeling on his mind, and when Donna refused to pose topless for him he had her face superimposed on top of other nude photo's
In 1980 Earl left Salem after his illegal dealings began to overwhelm him and the possibility of getting caught became a reality.