All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Mugshots of the Day 01-15-2026
Mugshots of the Day 01-14-2026
All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Mugshots of the Day 01-13-2026
All persons are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law
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.ca1ea.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
Mugshots of the Day 01-12-2026
All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Mugshots of the Day 01-09-2026 through 01-11-2026
All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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.
Shooting Leaves Dothan Man Dead – Updated with Arrest
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.
Mugshots of the Day 01-08-2026
All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
Lieutenant Watkins Graduates from the FBI National Academy Session 296
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On December 11, 2025, Chief William E. Benny announced that Lieutenant Lacy Watkins has graduated as a member of the 296th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on December 11th, 2025. Lt. Watkins is the second female officer in department history to complete this prestigious program. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program.
Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 11 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
The 296th session consisted of 254 law enforcement officers who graduated today from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 296th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 47 states and the District of Columbia.
The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 24 countries, four military organizations, and two federal civilian organizations.
“I am proud that Lt. Watkins was selected to attend the FBI National Academy’s 296th session. Lt. Watkins has proven herself with her professionalism and leadership within the Dothan Police Department. Lt. Watkins joins the group of FBI National Academy Alumni that continue to provide valuable leadership and experience to the Dothan Police Department.” – Chief Benny.
Lt. Watkins is the current division commander of the Professional Standards Division. Lt. Watkins started her career with Dothan Police Department in August 2011 and quickly rose through the ranks. Lt. Watkins spent several years as a criminal investigator as well in the Patrol Division. Lt. Watkins was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in October 2023.
FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits all the National Academy courses offered.
A total of 56,688 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.
###
You must be logged in to post a comment.