(DOTHAN, Ala.) On May 22, 2026, Dothan Police Officers responded to the 1400 block of Headland Avenue for a suspicious person call. The person reporting told dispatchers his business’ outside air conditioning unit had been stolen on Monday May 18th. Video surveillance led the person reporting to believe the person responsible was back at the business when he called police. Officers came into contact with the suspect, Jonhas Smith (42) of Dothan. The officer responding also responded to the call on Monday and recognized the suspect as the same from video surveillance also identified the suspect for several other crimes in the past week.
Further investigation revealed Smith was responsible for breaking into vehicles in the 100 block of Ross Clark Circle, 200 block of Ross Clark Circle, 500 block of Bic Road, and this business in the 1800 block of Reeves Street on May 19th as well as the theft of the air conditioning unit. Additionally, Smith was found to be responsible for breaking into vehicles in the 2200 block of Montgomery Highway on May 6th. Smith was arrested and charged with 35 counts of Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle as well as several warrants. Smith was booked into the Houston County Jail with bonds totaling $87,500. Additional charges are possible.
-Chief William E. Benny
Jonhas Jermaine Smith (42) of Dothan- 35 counts of Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, $87,500 bonds
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On May 6, 2026, the Dothan Police Department was notified by Houston County Department of Human Resources about reports of a school employee engaged in inappropriate activity with a student. An investigation was immediately started to assess the allegations. Investigators were told the employee had been placed on administrative leave by the school and no longer around children at the school.
Investigators learned a report was made to Dothan City Schools in February about there being inappropriate conduct on the part of the employee, identified as Johnny Mark Dunaway (55) of Midland City. The complaint was handled internally by Dothan City Schools. Another report was made on April 28, 2026, about Dunaway engaged in similar inappropriate conduct with a student. Again, Dothan City Schools began an internal investigation. Seven days later May 6th, Dothan City Schools notified Houston County Department of Human Resources about the complaint, which was then forwarded to the Dothan Police Department. Dothan Police Investigators conducted a methodical, thorough investigation in the coming days to resolve the case successfully.
Shortly after the investigation started, a forensic interview was conducted where allegations of sexual crimes were disclosed about Dunaway by the student. On May 13, 2026, a search warrant was conducted on Dunaway’s residence in Dale County for evidence related to the complaint. Several items were seized and are in the process of forensic examination. Concurrently, several court orders were sent for various social media and gaming platforms.
The level of trust given to school employees that encounter our children is not one to be taken lightly. When there is evidence that trust has been violated, the Dothan Police Department will not hesitate to take action to protect the children in our schools.
Dunaway has been arrested and charged with seven (7) counts of Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes, one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child less than 12 years old, and one count of Interference with Custody. Dunaway was booked in the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond. Additional charges are possible, and the investigation remains ongoing. With knowledge of previous teaching positions held by Dunaway, information in our investigation will be shared with the appropriate jurisdictions.
The safety of our children is non-negotiable. The Dothan Police Department will devote every available resource to investigating crimes against children, and anyone who exploits a position of trust to victimize a child should expect our full commitment to pursuing justice.
-Chief William E. Benny
Johnny Mark Dunaway (55) of Midland City- Seven counts of Enticing a child, one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child Less Than 12 Years Old, and One count Interference with Custody, No bond
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On May 1, 2026, Dothan Police Officers were called to a business in the 3300 block of South Oates Street for an assault. Officers arrived and spoke with the victim and witnesses. The victim said, as she was walking out to her vehicle, she noticed a male she did not know following. As the victim arrived at her vehicle, the suspect attempted to force the victim into the victim’s vehicle. The victim called for help and a bystander came to assist. The suspect then fled on foot.
The suspect, identified as Traveyon De’Vante Wilcox (40) of Jakin, GA, was contacted by law enforcement, who arrived quickly on scene. As officers were talking with Wilcox, he attempted to flee on foot but was quickly caught by officers.
Wilcox was arrested and charged with Attempted Kidnapping 1st degree, Attempted Theft of Property 1st degree, Assault 3rd degree, Obstruction of Government Operations, Resisting Arrest, and Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer. Wilcox was booked in the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond.
The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the bystander that assisted the victim calling for help during this incident. The quick and brave actions of this individual are to be commended.
-Chief William E. Benny
Traveyon De’Vante Wilcox (40) of Jakin, GA- Attempted Kidnapping 1st degree, Attempted Theft of Property 1st degree, Assault 3rd degree, Obstruction of Government Operations, Resisting Arrest, and Attempted to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer, No bond
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On May 6, 2026, Dothan Police School Resource Officers were notified by school staff of an inappropriate relationship between a school employee and a student who was under the age of 18. The employee, identified as Raymon Antwoine Blackmon (21) of Dothan, engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student while employed by Dothan City Schools.
Blackmon has been charged with one count of School Employee Engaging in Sex Act with a Student. Blackmon was booked in the Houston County Jail with a bond of $30,000. The investigation remains ongoing.
-Chief William E. Benny
Raymon Antwoine Blackmon (21) of Dothan- School Employee Engaged in Sex Act with Student, $30,000 bond
(DOTHAN, Ala.) In April 2026, Dothan Police investigators were contacted by a business that discovered discrepancies in their accounting programs. The discrepancies were indicative of theft or fraud, and the Dothan Police Department was asked to investigate. The investigation revealed that, between September 2025 and April 2026, a total of $853,310.00 was unaccounted for from the business. It was discovered an accounting employee, Danielle Victoria Foster (41) of Enterprise, was responsible for the theft of the money.
Foster has been charged with three counts of Aggravated Theft by Deception. Foster was booked in the Houston County Jail with bonds totaling $90,000.
-Chief William E. Benny
Danielle Victoria Foster (41) of Enterprise- Three counts Aggravated Theft by Deception, $90,000 bond
On April 23, 2026, the Dothan Police Department received a report from an individual who said they were forced off the road on Cottonwood Road near Saunders Road. According to the victim, they were traveling south on Cottonwood Road when a loud sound of screeching tires was heard. The victim realized a silver truck was following her. The victim recognized the vehicle and driver as Jason Allen Waddell (46) of Ashford.
Waddell used his vehicle to force the victim’s vehicle to crash near a church. Before the victim could get out of the vehicle, Waddell entered the vehicle and began physically assaulting the victim. The victim was able to get away from Waddell and escape the scene. According to investigators, they believe, based on witnesses, Waddell thought another individual was inside the vehicle being driven by the victim. The victim was driving this individual’s vehicle at the time of the crash. Waddell was arrested and charged with Assault 1st degree, a Class B felony. Waddell is currently being held without bond at the Houston County Jail. Additional charges are possible pending further investigation that is ongoing.
Jason Allen Waddell (46) of Ashford- Assault 1st Degree, No bond
On April 27, 2026, a Dothan Police officer was patrolling around the 1000 block of Cloverdale when he noticed a man emerging from a wooded area with a passenger seat from a vehicle on his bicycle. The officer approached the man to investigate. During the encounter, Officers asked for consent to search the man’s property. During the search, officers found a debit card that was not in the man’s name. The man, identified as Daniel Shane Pegg (48), did not have a reasonable explanation for having the card.
The officer also had previous knowledge of a report taken for the person whose name was on the card for fraudulent activity after losing the card two days prior. The victim confirmed Pegg was not allowed to have the card. Pegg was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a debit/credit card. Additional charges are possible after an investigation.
Daniel Shane Pegg (48) of Dothan- Illegal Possession of a Credit/Debit Card
(DOTHAN, Al) On Saturday, April 18, 2026, just before 9:00 a.m., 27-year-old Rickie Tyrrell Temmis of Dothan was found murdered in the 300 block of Mauldin Drive.
The person responsible for his murder has been identified and arrested. The suspect is a 14-year-old juvenile. The juvenile has been charged with murder. In Alabama, a 14-year-old can potentially be transferred to adult court through a juvenile judge’s discretionary transfer process for murder. Due to the age of the suspect, and no transfer initiated at this time, no identifying information can be released about the suspect.
On April 13, 2026, Officers responded to a gas station in the 600 block of North Oates Street for an assault. The victim reported a male subject approached him, made derogatory comments, and proceeded to assault him. The male, after the assault, left on foot. The victim had never met or seen the suspect before the attack. Officers found the subject, identified as LaRay Jacquan Faulk, in the 400 block of North Herring Street. Faulk admitted to the earlier assault on the victim, who was over the age of 65. Officers attempted to detain Faulk to transport him to a hospital for evaluation when he actively resisted officers.
Faulk struck one officer in the face and bit another officer on the hand as they tried to detain him. Officers were able to get Faulk under control and place him in handcuffs. Faulk was arrested and charged with one count of Elderly Abuse and Neglect 2nd degree for the earlier assault. Faulk was also arrested for two counts of Assault 2nd degree for the assault on officers. Faulk was booked in the Houston County Jail.
Laray Jacquan Faulk (27) of Dothan- Elder Abuse and Neglect 2nd degree and two counts of Assault 2nd
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On February 26, 2026, the Dothan Police Department responded to a medical call at an apartment complex in the 2200 block of Westgate Parkway. The caller reported a female was unresponsive as life-saving efforts were in progress. Officers arrived on scene and immediately began to give emergency medical aid along with Dothan Fire Department paramedics. The victim, identified as Jakinah Chamique Freeman (25), was transported to a local hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
While speaking with the person reporting the incident, it was learned by officers a black male was seen running from the residence prior to first responders arriving. Criminal investigators were called to the scene to investigate. Video surveillance in the area and witness statements led investigators to identify the suspect as Danious Da’Kel Sewell (21) of Abbeville.
After the investigation and forensic analysis, it was determined Freeman’s death was caused by fentanyl overdose. Investigators allege Sewell provided the fentanyl that was the cause of Freeman’s death. Sewell was charged with Manslaughter-Fentanyl and booked in the Houston County Jail. Sewell is being held without bond.
-Chief William E. Benny
Danious Da’kel Sewell (21) of Abbeville- Manslaughter-Fentanyl, no bond
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