News and Events

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On September 10, 2026, just before 5:00 pm, the Dothan Police Department received reports of a male with a gunshot wound in the 600 block of Moates Street.  Officers quickly responded to the area where they found the victim attempting to drive himself to the hospital.  Officers provided medical aid until the victim could be transported to a local hospital for treatment.  At the hospital, it was determined the victim had two gunshot wounds to the back.  The victim was treated and released the same day.

As criminal investigators began the investigation, it was discovered the victim went to meet an individual in the area of the shooting to make a drug purchase.  As the victim got to the area for the purchase, he quickly realized he was being set up to be robbed.  As he fled the area, two individuals fired rounds from handguns in his direction resulting in the two gunshot wounds.

Investigators worked several leads to find those responsible.  As a result of their hard work, investigators found one suspect, Zy’Keria Akeelha Andrews (20) of Dothan, was the person who set up the robbery.  Police also arrested two juveniles, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, as the ones responsible for shooting the victim as he fled.  Andrews was charged with one count of Robbery 1^st degree and booked into the Houston County Jail with a $90,000 bond.  The two juveniles were charged as adults with one count of Robbery 1^st degree, one count of Assault 1^st degree, and one count of Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle.  Both juveniles were booked into the Houston County Jail and are being held without bond.  Due to juvenile privacy laws in Alabama, no further information about the juveniles is available.  The investigation is still ongoing and more charges are possible.

-Chief William E. Benny

(DOTHAN, Ala.)  On June 15, 2026, the Dothan Police Department, through their membership in the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children of images depicting child sexual abuse material were shared on the social chatting website Discord.  Investigators received identifying information for the computer sharing the images and began sending search warrants out for multiple online platforms and applications.

As a result of the search warrants, the person was identified as Phillip Tyler Stanley (37) of Dothan.  The investigation revealed that, on several occasions, Stanley used a Discord chat to talk to other individuals about child sexual abuse materials.  On different chats, Stanley sent images of children that appear between the ages of 10 years old and 15 years old to different users.  Stanley told others in those chats that he was interested in females under the age of 10.

The investigation resulted in Stanley’s arrest at his residence on Whatley Drive on September 4, 2026.  A search for the username associated with the Discord chat revealed child sexual abuse materials were shared and possessed at hotels, places of employment, and the residence associated with Stanley.  Stanley was charged with 12 counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material and three counts of Dissemination of Child Sexual Abuse Material.  Stanley was booked into the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond.

This investigation remains ongoing. Dothan Police investigators continue to follow leads involving additional online accounts and application platforms and are examining electronic devices and other digital evidence collected during the execution of the search warrant.  The Dothan Police Department remains vigilant in the protection of not only our young children, but people of all ages when it comes to exploitation. We encourage anyone with information regarding this investigation or similar criminal activity to contact the Dothan Police Department or provide information through Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous.  Additional charges are possible.

-Chief William E. Benny

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On August 31, 2026, Dothan Police School Resource Officers responded to reports of a fight between a student who was under the age of 10 and a DCS volunteer teacher at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School.  According to reports, the suspect, identified as Oscar Truitt Jr. (77) of Dothan, got into an altercation with a student over Pokémon cards.

Video surveillance showed Truitt striking the child several times during the altercation.  Truitt has been charged with Harassment and booked into the Dothan City Jail.  The safety of students is the top priority of the Dothan Police Department’s role in Dothan City Schools.

-Chief William E. Benny