Dothan City School Bus Driver Charged with Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Child

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On December 9, 2024, Dothan Police Crash Investigators arrested Steven Phillip Valentine for leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries after an incident was reported to police.  According to investigators, Valentine was driving a Dothan City Schools bus and dropping kids off in the 300 block of Summerrain Terrace.  As students were getting off the bus, Valentine closed the doors to the bus, which caught on a student’s backpack.  The student’s backpack and arm were caught in the door when Valentine drove off.  After about 150 feet, Valentine realized the child was caught in the door.  Valentine stopped, opened the door, and the child then left towards his residence.  Investigators determined Valentine had not met his legal obligations to render aid and notify authorities after an accident.  In the State of Alabama, a passenger falling from or injured by a vehicle in motion on a public road is considered an accident.  Valentine was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries, a felony, and placed in the Houston County Jail with a $15,000 bond.

Shortly after 4:00 pm on December 9, 2024, Dothan Police officers were notified by a responsible party of a child about an incident involving a Dothan City School bus.  The child, who was under the age of 12, was getting off the bus in the 300 block of Summerrain Terrace when the bus driver closed the doors to the bus, which trapped the child by his backpack and arm.  After driving about 150 feet, the driver, identified as Steven Valentine, realized the child was stuck in the door.  The child remained on his feet during the incident but damaged his shoes.  After the child was released, Valentine asked the student if he was okay but did not render aid.

Valentine then left the scene and continued his route to drop off students without contacting police or Dothan City School authorities.  Police eventually made contact with Valentine at the Dothan City Schools Bus Barn after he completed his route.  The child complained of arm and back pain from the incident and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.  The child has since been released and is expected to recover.  Video from the school bus camera confirmed the series of events as the victim told it to police.

School bus drivers have a legal and professional responsibility to their passengers.  Anytime they are involved in an accident, drivers are legally bound to render aid and contact the proper authorities about the accident.  When a child is injured or involved in an incident such as this, responsible parties are expected to take care of the children on their bus and notify the proper authorities in a timely manner.  Valentine was charged with one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries.  No further charges are expected.

Steven Phillip Valentine (64) of Dothan- Leaving the Scene of an Accident, $15,000 bond.

 

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Dothan Man Arrested For Financial Exploitation of the Elderly and Impersonating a Peace Officer after Two Month Fake Investigation

(DOTHAN, Ala.)  On December 9, 2024, Dothan Police Narcotics investigators arrested Kendrale Lafayette Magwood (37) of Dothan with Financial Exploitation of the Elderly 1st degree and Impersonation of a police officer.  Investigators say Magwood, posing as a law enforcement officer, used a ruse to convince the victim to buy narcotics from various sources over the course of two months.  After receiving information about Magwood, Investigators used their own ruse to apprehend Magwood without incident.

On December 5, 2024, the victim reported to police that he had been used by a law enforcement officers as an informant to buy suspected narcotics for nearly two months.  The victim said he had been made to purchase the “narcotics” with his own money even though the substances turned out to be imitation controlled substances.  The victim had been made to believe he would receive leniency on a previous criminal charge.

After receiving information from the victim, Dothan Investigators waited for Magwood to set up another “operation” and took him into custody.  Evidence confirming Magwood posed as a law enforcement officer was found in his possession.  Magwood was charged with one count of Financial Exploitation of the Elderly 1st degree and Impersonating a Peace Officer.  Magwood was placed in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

Kendrale Magwood (37) of Dothan- Financial Exploitation of the Elderly 1st Degree and Impersonation of a Peace Officer, No Bond

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Dothan Man Arrested for Child Abuse After Striking Juvenile in Head with Pistol

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On November 23, 2024, Dothan Police investigators arrested Allen Terell Jackson (41) of Dothan at his residence after it was reported he struck a juvenile, under the age of 16, in the head with a pistol after finding her in her bedroom with another juvenile.  It was reported Jackson was upset to find both juveniles in the bedroom together.  Jackson struck the female juvenile, who is a family member, with his fists before retrieving two firearms, one of which was a pistol.  Jackson struck the female juvenile with the pistol in the head several times.  After the assault with the pistol, Jackson then forced both juvenile to exit the residence when police arrived.  Jackson has been charged with one count of Willful Abuse of a Child.  Jackson was placed in the Houston County Jail on $15,000 bond.

Shortly after 2:30 am on November 23, 2024, Dothan patrol officers were called to a residence in the 600 block of Westgate Parkway for an assault.  When officers arrived, they came into contact with two juveniles.  According to witnesses on scene, Jackson discovered a female juvenile and a male juvenile in the female juvenile’s bedroom.  Jackson then attacked the female juvenile with closed fists.  Jackson went and retrieved a pistol and a shotgun.  Jackson struck the female juvenile in the head with the pistol that caused lacerations to her head.  Both juveniles were ordered out of the residence by Jackson until police arrived.

While on scene with police, Jackson again attacked the female juvenile and pushed her in front of officers.  Jackson was taken into custody.  The female juvenile was checked by Dothan Fire Department medics and Pilchers Ambulance.  After being interviewed by investigators, Jackson admitted to assaulting the female juvenile.  Jackson has been charged with one count of Willful Abuse of a Child with a $15,000 bond.  More charges are pending further investigation.

Allen Terell Jackson (41) of Dothan- Willful Child Abuse, $15,000 bond

 

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Two Men Arrested After Theft from Construction of New Animal Shelter

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On November 6, 2024, Dothan Police Investigators arrested William Allen Navarre (43) of Dothan and Bobby Gene Chandler (50) of Atlanta, GA for the theft and burglary of the new animal shelter under construction.  The theft was discovered on November 4th when workers returned from the weekend to find items missing from the construction site.  After an investigation, Navarre and Chandler were identified as suspects in the crime.  Navarre was charged with one count of Theft of Property 1st degree and one count of Burglary 3rd degree with bonds totaling $10,000.  Chandler was charged with Theft of Property 1st degree and Burglary 3rd degree with bonds totaling $20,000.

On November 4, 2024, Dothan Police Officers responded to the new animal shelter construction site on Hartford Highway when workers arrived at the site to continue construction and noticed items missing.  Investigators used a variety of investigative techniques, including surveillance cameras, and identified suspects in the theft.  Investigators were able to identify William Navarre and Bobby Chandler as suspects.

After the investigation, enough evidence was discovered to charge both suspects with the crime.  All stolen property was recovered and returned to the owner.

Bobby Gene Chandler (50) of Atlanta, GA- Theft of Property 1st and Burglary 3rd, $20,000 bond
William Allen Navarre (43) of Dothan- Theft of Property 1st and Burglary 3rd, $10,000 bond

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Arrest Made in Rip Hewes Shooting from October 18th Football Game

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On October 31, 2024, Dothan Police Investigators arrested Walter Cummings Jr. (36) of Dothan for one count of Assault 1st degree and one count of Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle.  Cummings’ arrest comes as a result of an investigation into the shooting of a young juvenile, under the age of 12, at Rip Hewes Stadium on October 18, 2024.  Cummings was placed in the Houston County Jail, and his bond has been set at $60,000.

On October 18, 2024, Dothan Police Officers working security for a high school football game at Rip Hewes Stadium were flagged down by a citizen who said a child had suffered a gunshot wound in a vehicle.  The vehicle was in the parking lot and officers responded to render emergency aid.  The juvenile had minor swelling on the head from being struck by the bullet.  Police learned that shots were fired after an altercation occurred in the 400 block of Kornegay Street moments before the juvenile was struck with the bullet.  Officers responded to the area and located shell casings in the roadway.  During a search warrant of the residence on Kornegay Street, Officers found a firearm that was the same caliber ammunition found at the stadium.

Due to the angle of the bullet entering the vehicle from the roof and the extent of the injuries to the victim believed to be from a low velocity bullet, investigators believe it was likely fired in the air from Kornegay Street and landed where the victim was sitting.  The rifle found on Kornegay Street and the projectile found at Rip Hewes Stadium were sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for ballistics testing.  Today, Investigators were informed the bullet was a match and came from the rifle recovered on Kornegay Street.  After an interview with Cummings, he admitted he was the person who fired the shots on Kornegay Street.

Firing a bullet into the air is a careless and dangerous act that is against the law.  Offenders caught committing such an act will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Walter Lee Cummings Jr. (36) of Dothan- Assault 1st degree and Shooting into Occupied Vehicle, $60,000 bond

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False Reporting leads to Swatting Charge

During the early morning hours of Saturday, October 26, 2024, the Dothan Police Department received a call reporting an edge weapon assault in the 400 block of East Powell Street. Officers were unable to locate a victim or the person reporting. It was determined this was a false report of an incident and all emergency personnel were cancelled. Using various investigative leads, officers were able to determine the identity of the caller. Just a few hours later, officers encountered the caller, and he was taken into custody and questioned. During questioning, he admitting to making the false report because he had gotten into a fight with an individual and as revenge, he wanted that person to be “harassed” as a potential victim of a stabbing.

The caller was identified as 53-year-old Keri Lashun Leake of Appletree Street, Dothan, AL. Leake was charged with one count of Felony Swatting. His bond was set at $2,500.00.

Leake, Keri Lashun

Shots Fired Leads to Arrest

On Saturday, October 26, 2024, at approximately 5:50 PM, we received a report of a gunshot victim arriving at Southeast Health by personal vehicle. The adult victim had a graze wound to the cheek, which he was treated for and released. The victim stated he was driving near a neighborhood in the 2600 block of Third Avenue when he felt the bullet graze his cheek. The victim’s vehicle was found to have multiple bullet holes in it.

Within minutes of this call, we received several calls for multiple shots fired in the 100 block of Wrinn Lane. Witnesses who observed the shooter, stated he was inside a residence armed with a weapon. During this same time, it was discovered a neighboring residence had been fired into and the occupants received minor superficial wounds.

Officers, assisted by family members, were able to successfully negotiate with the suspect to exit the residence and surrender. A search warrant was executed on the residence and the weapon used in the incident was recovered.

The suspect was identified as 18-year-old Darien Maurice Anglin of Dothan. It was determined the victim was in the area of Anglin’s residence when, for unknown reasons, Anglin began firing at the victim. As the victim retreated from the area, Anglin continued to fire at him until he was out of sight. In the process, Anglin shot into a neighbor’s house.

Anglin was charged with one count of Attempted Murder, one count of Assault First degree, one count of Discharging into an Occupied Dwelling, and two counts of Discharging into an Occupied Vehicle. His total bond was set at $180,000.00.

Anglin, Darien Maurice

Juvenile Arrested for Making Threats to Dothan Prep Academy

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On September 6, 2024, Dothan Police Investigators made contact with a student who allegedly made threats to commit acts of violence at Dothan Preparatory Academy.  Investigators, working since the day before, looked into the threat and identified the person who made the threat.  The suspect was identified as a juvenile student.  Investigators worked quickly to make contact with the suspect and, after investigating, arrested the juvenile for Making a Terrorist Threat 1st degree, which is a felony.  Due to juvenile privacy laws, no further information about the juvenile can be released.

In the evening hours of September 5, 2024, the Dothan Police Department was made aware of threats to commit violent acts at a Dothan City School posted on social media.  Investigators were notified and worked diligently to identify the source of the threat.  Until the source was identified, extra security was placed around the schools as a precaution this morning to deter violence.  As soon as the source was identified, investigators took the juvenile into custody to conduct interviews.  As a result of the investigation, the juvenile was charged with Making a Terrorist Threat 1st degree.   More arrests are possible, and this is still an ongoing investigation.

The Dothan Police Department wants to thank the community for their assistance in protecting children in our schools.  When threats are made, regardless of the intent, the Dothan Police Department always takes those situations seriously and will hold those who make threats accountable in accordance with State Law.  We appreciate those that knew of the threat who came forward to share their concerns with the Dothan Police Department.

Dothan City Schools will follow up and apply appropriate disciplinary action according to their Student Handbook.  Just as Dothan City Schools said in their release, the Dothan Police Department also encourages parents to talk with their children about the seriousness of threats and the importance of reporting suspicious activities or threats to a trusted adult or School Resource Officer.

Anyone who had information about threats to our schools can submit tips directly to the Dothan Police Department or through Central Alabama Crimestoppers at 334-215-STOP, 833-AL1-STOP, or at P3TIPS.com.

 

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Dothan Couple Charged with Attempted Murder and Robbery in Tuesday Shooting on Fountain Street

(DOTHAN, Ala.) Dothan Police Investigators have charged Ty’Qon and Veronica McMillan in a robbery on Fountain Street from September 3rd.  The McMillans attempted to rob the victim of his cell phone after a physical altercation between Ty’Qon and the victim.  During the theft of the phone, Ty’Qon fired a round that struck the victim in the back of the head.  Fortunately, the injuries were not life threatening.  The victim is recovering in a local hospital and is expected to be released.  Ty’Qon and Veronica McMillan were charged with one count of Attempted Murder and one count of Robbery 1st degree each.  They are being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

On September 3, 2024, Dothan Police were called to a residence in the 1000 block of Fountain Street for reports of a person shot in the head.  Officers arrived on scene and found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of his head.  The victim was alert on scene and gave a description and names of the suspects.  According to the victim, he was involved in a physical altercation with the male suspect, identified as Ty’Qon McMillan, over the theft of a cell phone.  During the physical altercation, the female suspect, Veronica McMillan, was able to get the cell phone.  During the altercation, Ty’Qon fired a round from a small caliber handgun that struck the victim in the head.

The victim was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.  The injuries are not life threatening.  Both suspects were apprehended on September 4, 2024 where they were charged with the robbery and attempted murder.  Both Ty’Qon and Veronica McMillan were placed in the Houston County Jail with no bond.  Both suspects were on bond for previous charges.  The bonds for those charges have been revoked.

Ty’Qon Daltron McMillan (24) of Dothan- Attempted Murder and Robbery 1st Degree, No Bond
Veronica Chanell McMillan (23) of Dothan- Attempted Murder and Robbery 1st Degree, No Bond

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35-Year-Old Dothan Woman Shot and Killed in Domestic Violence Shooting; Suspect from North Carolina charged with Capital Murder

(DOTHAN, Ala.) Dothan Police Violent Crimes Investigators have charged Phillip Lee McAdoo (42) of High Point, North Carolina with capital murder in the shooting death of Shannette Yvonne Colbert (35).  Investigators say the suspect and Colbert were in a previous relationship together and had a child together.  On August 23, 2024, Investigators say an argument between the suspect and Colbert escalated with the suspect pulling out a firearm.  The suspect fired multiple rounds at Colbert.  One round struck Colbert in the upper torso.  Despite live saving measures taken by officers and medics on scene, Colbert died from her gunshot wound.

On August 23, 2024 around 11:00 pm, Dothan Communications Center personnel received a call of a shooting at a residence in the 2700 block of East Cottonwood Road.  Officers arrived on scene and found several juveniles present in the home.  An older juvenile pointed officers to Colbert, who was laying on the ground in the home.  Officers noticed a gunshot wound and started CPR as well as wound treatment until the Dothan Fire Department arrived on scene.  Unfortunately, Colbert was pronounced dead on scene.

While investigators were speaking with the children, they received a suspect description.  Responding officers noticed the suspect leaving the area and initiated a traffic stop.  At that time, the suspect was taken into custody.  Witnesses on scene said the suspect shot Colbert after an argument escalated to violence.  The suspect has been charged with one count of Capital Murder and is being held without bond in the Houston County Jail.

Everyone deserves relationships free from domestic violence.  If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence, they can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or the House of Ruth Dothan at 334-793-2232.

Phillip Lee McAdoo (42) of High Point, NC- Captial Murder, No Bond

 

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