Dothan Police Department

January 30, 2026

Man Killed in Suspected Robbery; Suspect Charged with Capital Murder

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On January 30, 2026, just before 10:00 am, the Dothan Communications Center received several reports of a vehicle crash into a retention pond in the 2700 block of Ross Clark Circle. When first responders arrived, they immediately attempted to check on the person in the vehicle that was now submerged in the pond. It was apparent soon after contact the victim was deceased. A closer inspection of the victim revealed a fatal gunshot wound. While stabilizing the scene, several witnesses reported a black male running away from the scene. As investigators worked to determine the details, the Dothan Police Department was actively searching the area for someone matching the suspect’s description. The victim, identified as Wesley Blake Bowen (33) of Dothan, was pronounced dead at the scene.

As officers were canvassing the area, officers came into contact with a black male on Stonewood Drive behind Farrah Circle that matched the description obtained from witnesses and surveillance in the area. The suspect was identified as Michael Tywuan Taylor (24) of Ozark, AL. Officers and investigators located a jacket and a handgun near where the suspect was located.

According to the preliminary investigation, Bowen and the suspect were en route to an unknown location with Bowen driving his vehicle. At some point, the suspect pulled out a firearm in a suspected robbery and shot Bowen. With Bowen incapacitated, the vehicle lost control and drove into a retention pond in the 2700 block of Ross Clark Circle. The suspect has been charged with one count of Capital Murder-Robbery and is being held without bond. We want to thank the many members of the community who gave information that assisted in the capture of this individual.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bowen’s family and friends as they grieve. If anyone has any information about this case, they are encouraged to call the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3632, Central Alabama Crimestoppers at 334-215-STOP, or give a tip anonymously online at P3TIPS.com.

-Chief William E. Benny

Michael Tywaun Taylor (24)- Capital Murder-Robbery, No bond

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January 30, 2026

Mugshots of the Day 01-29-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Miya Allison Re’Shay Battle – Obstructing Governmental Operations

Bryan Alexander Baxter – Domestic Violence 3rd

Betty Jean Campbell – Domestic Violence 3rd

Richard Ellsworth Conway – Unlawful Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Mina Mary McSwain – Possession of Drug Parahernalia

Kimberly Dawn Hyatt Odom – Public Intoxication

Timothy Garrett Wells – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

Lacoda Lapettway Willis – Resisting Arrest

January 29, 2026

Mugshots of the Day 01-28-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Christopher Roger Dean – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Tashira Lakya Fisher – Criminal Trespassing 3rd

Alan Garcia – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

TeCaryious Seshaune Graham – Discharging Firearm into Occupied Automobile

Tahkeem Lakevion Johnson – Discharging Firearm into Occupied Automobile, Robbery 1st, Possession of Marijuana 1st, Certain Persons Forbidden to Possession Firearm

Savion Martin – Discharging Firearm into Occupied Automobile

Stevie Martin – Attempt to Commit Murder/Other Crime, Assault 3rd, Assault with Bodily Fluids x2

Ashton Jameel Miller – Discharging Firearm into Occupied Automobile

Latedrus Rhodes – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

January 28, 2026

Mugshots of the Day 01-27-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Malik Janarius Hadley – Domestic Violence 3rd

Michael Shannon Howell – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

O’Shanton Montez Ingram – Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Caleb Qundarius Miller – Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Jacob Zane Wise – Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)

January 27, 2026

Mugshots of the Day 01-26-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Yurixa Lindali-Lima Cardona – Theft of Property 4th

Dakota Thunder Dupriest – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Jessica Jade Edenfield – Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Possession of Burglary Tools

Jeffery Scott Gustafson – Criminal Trespass 3rd

Steven Garett Hawkins – Domestic Violence 3rd

Eransom Miller – Obstructing Governmental Operations

Jarvis Shamane Parks – Domestic Violence 3rd

Laquria Nabrasha Singleton – Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Robin Ronaldo-Lenus Trujillo – Theft of Property 4th

January 26, 2026

Mugshots of the Day 01-23-2026 through 01-25-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Betty Jean Campbell – Public Intoxication

Rayshon Edwin Grimsley – Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest x2, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Drug Trafficking

Azaria Janayja Renee Toms – Domestic Violence 3rd

Raymond Damon Baker – Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Kelly Dustin Brannon – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tampering with Physical Evidence

Christian Jordan Hall – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Ashley Nichole Hooker – Burglary 3rd, Domestic Violence 3rd

Zycory Antonio James – Assault-Domestic Violence – Strangulation or Suffocation

Walter Garrin Johnson – Possession of Marijuana 2nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Promote Prison Contraband 2nd

Jamaal Demond McClendon – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance x2

Dominic Anthoney Millette – Public Intoxication, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

Cassie Lynn Brasfield-Williams – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Quinesha Shonta Davis – Giving of False Name or Address to a Law Enforcement Officer

Altin Dervishaj – Possession of Marijuana 2nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Domestic Violence 3rd

Chazarius Vontrez Harden – Assault-Domestic Violence – Strangulation or Suffocation

Vincent Jamar McMiller – Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Gerald Sanchez Rivers – Public Intoxication, Assault with Bodily Fluids, Harassment off Public Official

Willie Charles Thomas Jr – Kidnapping 2nd, Assault Domestic Violence – Strangulation or Suffocation

Baylee Elise Turvin – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Za’Miya Unique Washington – Public Intoxication

January 23, 2026

Mugshots of the Day 01-22-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Cedric Deshun Banks – Ex Felon in Possession of a Firemarm

January 13, 2026January 20, 2026

CALEA Accreditation Public Comment Portal

The Dothan Police Department will be having a CALEA assessment from January 30, 2026 to February 7, 2026. If you have comments regarding the Dothan Police Department’s CALEA Accreditation and would like to provide information to CALEA, there is an Accreditation Public Comment Portal located at http://cimrs2.calea.org/857

The purpose of this public portal is to receive comments regarding an agency’s compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status. These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns. The overall intent of the accreditation process is to provide the participating agency with information to support continuous improvement, as well as foster the pursuit of professional excellence.

IMPORTANT: CALEA is not an investigatory body and subsequently the public portal should not be used to submit information for such purposes. Additionally, there will be no response other than acknowledgement to submissions; however, the information will be considered in context to its relevancy to compliance with standards and the tenets of CALEA® Accreditation.

William E. Benny
Chief of Police

January 10, 2026

UPDATED: Shooting Leaves Dothan Man Dead

UPDATE:

After responding to the firearm assault during the early morning hours, investigators and officers began working multiple leads. Information learned led investigators to Dale County. Members of the Dothan Patrol Division and the Criminal Investigation Division worked hand in hand all day long and into the night with Sheriff Mason Bynum and the Dale County Sheriff’s Department. Together the two departments located persons of interest, witnesses, and executed search warrants.

As a result of the lengthy investigation, at approximately 7:15 PM on Saturday January 10, 2026, Dothan Police Department Investigators had gathered sufficient evidence to sign a warrant for Murder on 40 year old Ted Carstiel Caldwell of Ozark, Alabama. At approximately 8:30 PM, Sheriff Bynum and members of the Dale County Sheriff’s Department located Caldwell at a residence in Ozark and took him into custody. Caldwell was transported to Dothan where he was booked into the Houston County Jail for the Murder charge with no bond.

Details learned indicate the victim, Brandon Layfatte Jones, and another individual were engaged in a verbal altercation that turned physical over a minor parking lot dispute. During their dispute, Caldwell interjected himself by producing a firearm and shooting Jones, who according to witnesses was unarmed. As a result, Jones succumbed to the injury.

Caldwell is no stranger to the criminal justice system. Records show he has past arrests for Assault, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Contempt of Court for Failure to Appear in court on more than one occasion, Failure to Pay Child Support, and even a previous arrest for Murder. All arrests were in jurisdictions outside of Houston County. Even though these were arrests, the disposition and sentencing for each of these are unknown.

The Dothan Police Department would like to extend their gratitude to Sheriff Bynum and members of the Dale County Sheriff’s Department for all their hard work and dedication to helping bring such a senseless crime to a successful conclusion. This is a great example of two departments working together as one team, for one cause.

Original:

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, at approximately 4:00 AM, the City of Dothan-Houston County Emergency Operations Center received a call for a firearm assault in the parking lot of a local establishment in the 3600 block of Montgomery Highway.

Officers arrived on scene and located a male victim lying in the parking lot with one gunshot wound to the upper torso. Dothan Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and began life saving measures on the victim. Pilcher’s Ambulance transported the victim to a local hospital, trauma alert.

Shortly after arrival at the hospital, the victim succumbed to his injury. The victim has been identified as 35 year old Brandon Layfatte Jones of Dothan.

At this time, a person of interest has been identified and is being sought.

A motive for the incident has not been determined as of yet due to the investigation being in its early stage.

We ask anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000 or CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP.

January 10, 2026January 10, 2026

Shooting Leaves Dothan Man Dead – Updated with Arrest

UPDATE:

Original:

Shortly after arrival at the hospital, the victim succumbed to his injury. The victim has been identified as 35 year old Brandon Layfatte Jones of Dothan.

At this time, a person of interest has been identified and is being sought.

A motive for the incident has not been determined as of yet due to the investigation being in its early stage.

We ask anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000 or CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP.