(DOTHAN, Ala.) On September 20, 2025, just before 3:00 am, Dothan Police Officers responded to the intersection of West Powell Street and North Herring Street for reports of a suspicious vehicle. The person reporting told dispatchers a silver passenger car was sitting at the intersection for over 30 minutes without moving. When officers arrived, they found a male unresponsive in the driver’s seat. Officers noticed the victim was not breathing and started life saving treatment, including Narcan. After a period of time, the victim, identified as Joel William Nicholson (41) of Dothan, was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators began to collect evidence in the event Nicholson’s death was determined to not be natural.
On October 1, 2025, investigators received a preliminary autopsy result that Nicholson’s cause of death was the result of fentanyl. Investigators were able to find the person who supplied Nicholson with the fentanyl. Also on October 1st, criminal investigators along with narcotics investigators executed a search warrant on the suspect’s residence in the 400 block of Pine Hills Drive. The suspect, identified as Vikthor Shean Roman (39), was taken into custody. Investigators located various pills and drug paraphernalia in the residence during the search.
Roman was taken to the Dothan Police Department where he admitted to supplying Nicholson with the fentanyl. Roman was charged with Manslaughter-Fentanyl for supplying fentanyl and it being the proximate cause of Nicholson’s death. Roman was taken to the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond.
Fentanyl is a dangerous substance that affects the lives of many in our community. Those who are possessing and/or distributing this dangerous substance in our community will be found, will be arrested, and will be prosecuted to the fullest allowed by law. We take our responsibility seriously to get these dangerous drugs off the street to protect our community. Our thoughts are with Nicholson’s family and friends as they continue to grieve. Additional charges are possible.
-Chief William E. Benny
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