Press Releases – Page 12 – Dothan Police Department

April 3, 2023

Man Arrested for Assault and Sex Crime

In October of 2022, an employee of a Home Health Agency recognized injuries to an elderly client and became concerned while providing care to the client in the 100 block of Headland Avenue. As the employee continued to gather information as to what caused the injuries, it was recognized a crime had occurred to the victim during which time the victim was injured. The Dothan Police Department was contacted, and a criminal investigation began. It was learned the elderly female victim had allowed someone into her residence believing it was someone she was expecting. It turned out the person was not who she was expecting, instead it was a stranger.

The stranger began assaulting the female victim with her own medical equipment causing lacerations and contusions about her body. After the physical assault, the suspect then sexually assaulted the female before leaving the residence. Through various investigative means, the suspect was identified as Marcus Leonard Golden, 42 years-old of Dothan. Warrants were obtained for Golden but his whereabouts have been unknown.

On April 2, 2023, Golden was encountered by Law Enforcement at which time he was arrested for the outstanding warrants. Golden has been charged with one count of Assault Second Degree and one count of Sodomy First Degree. He currently has no bond.

Marcus Leonard Golden – Assault Second Degree and Sodomy First Degree

March 30, 2023March 30, 2023

UPDATE: Two Arrested for the Murder at Pearl Lounge and Grill

UPDATE: As a result of the ongoing investigation, the Dothan Police Department has made two arrests for the Murder that took place in the parking lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill located at 2855 Ross Clark Circle on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Thus far we have learned a verbal altercation took place inside the Lounge which turned physical. The victim, 51 year-old Roger Shane Felder, acted as a Good Samaritan and attempted to de-escalated the altercation. Individuals involved in the altercation were then made to leave the establishment by employees. Once outside, some form of the altercation continued during which time Felder was fatally shot.

Charged with the murder of Felder are: 29 year-old Raheem Anthony Powe of Abbeville, and 27 year-old Nakia Kentae Thompson of Dothan. Both individuals have been charged with one count of Murder each. Their bond has been set at $1.5 Million each.

This investigation is still ongoing, and we are still attempting to located additional persons of interest to attempt to gain additional information. It is unknown at this time if additional arrest will be made or not.

Man Murdered in the Parking Lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, at approximately 1:20 AM, Dothan Police Department was notified of a firearm assault that occurred in the parking lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill located at 2855 Ross Clark Circle. Within one minute, officers arrived on scene and found the victim lying in the parking lot. The victim sustained multiple gunshots wounds to the upper torso.

Dothan Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and began providing medical treatment to the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injury. The victim has been identified as 51 year old Roger Shane Felder of Geneva, Al.

We are in the preliminary stage of the investigation and even though we are following up on multiple leads, a suspect has not been identified at this time. Multiple people were present when this incident took place, however, majority of them left prior to speaking to officers.

We ask that anyone who may have information about this incident, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, to please contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000.

March 30, 2023

Man Murdered in the Parking Lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill

March 28, 2023

Dothan Man Receives Additional Child Pornography Charges

In December 2022, Dothan Police Department received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip indicated an individual within the city limits of Dothan had disseminated an image using an electronic messaging platform depicting child pornography. As the investigation continued, the account owner of the electronic messaging platform used to disseminate the image was identified.

On March 9, 2023, a search warrant was executed at the residence of the suspect in the 1200 block of Cannon Road. During the execution of the search warrant, several electronic devices were seized as evidence. On that day, 38 year-old Donny Ray Watkins was charged with one count of Dissemination of Obscene Material.

As the investigation continued and investigators gathered additional information, on March 28, 2023, Watkins was arrested and charged with four counts of Possession of Child Pornography. His bond was set at $60,000.

March 27, 2023

Man Charged with Elder Abuse and Neglect

On Friday, March 24, 2023, Houston County Department of Human Resources notified the Dothan Police Department of a possible Elder Abuse and Neglect situation in the 500 block of South Saint Andrews Street.

An elderly female was found crawling around inside the residence wearing nothing but an adult diaper asking for help. It was discovered she had open wounds and various other medical conditions that had gone untreated and neglected. The victim was transported to a local hospital where she was admitted for inpatient treatment, as well as, possibly undergo surgery for some of her open wounds. An adult relative who resides in the residence with the victim was her primary caregiver. He has now been charged.

Jason Proctor, 37 years-old, has been charged with one count of Elder Abuse and Neglect First Degree. He is currently being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

Jason Allan Proctor – Elder Abuse and Neglect First Degree

March 23, 2023August 18, 2023

Operation Spring Cleaning Nets Multiple Arrests

Operation Spring Cleaning, where the Dothan Police Department, Houston County Sheriff’s Department, ATF, Probation and Parole, and US Marshals have rounded up several individuals engaged in criminal activity in a massive crackdown on crime in the area. The operation was carried out over several weeks and involved intelligence-gathering, coordinated efforts among different law enforcement agencies, and the use of advanced technology to track down the suspects. As a result of this operation, 26 criminals were arrested for a total of 48 charges and are now behind bars, which has greatly increased the safety and security of the community.

This successful police operation is a testament to the dedication and hard work of law enforcement agencies in the area

Arrested during this operation are:

Joshua Lane, 39 of Ashford, Failure to Appear Unlawful Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance.
Wendell Reynolds, 50 of Dothan, Failure to Appear Assault 2^nd.
Martino Tolbert, 30 of Dothan, Failure to Appear Assault 1^st.
Sarah Burke, 58 of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana 2^nd.
Derrick Carter, 51 of Dothan, Domestic Violence 1^st.
Leonard Ward, 43 of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 1^st.
Travonte Ware, 26 of Dothan, Obstruction of Justice by false Identity.
Brandon Horn, 38 of Ashford, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Larayna Brooke Andrews, of Dothan, Failure to Appear x 2.
Vickey Larson, 56 of Cottonwood, Theft of Property 2^nd (Montgomery County) and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Edward Camp, 28 of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Jayson Christy, 51 of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Donald Donaldson, 53 of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Wilfred Reynolds, 50 of Dothan, Possession of Forged Instrument 3^rd.
Anthony Smith, 30 of Dothan, Possession of Marijuana 1^st and Tampering with Evidence.
Jamel Teague, 36, of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana 1^st, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Receiving Stolen Property 2^nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Attempting to Elude.
Bradley Ward, 29 of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Marijuana 1^st.
Jessie Myles, 40 of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance x 2, Possession of Marijuana 1^st, Possession of Marijuana 2^nd x 2, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Francis Foster, 48 of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Latoria Hunter, 38 of Dothan, Obstruction of Justice by False Identity.
Justin Green, 36 of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Chelsea Francks,, 26 of Cottonwood, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Jonathan Brooks, , Violation of Probation (Florida), Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card. Illegal Possession of a Credit Card x 2.
Roger Dunlap, 67 of Dothan, Theft of Property 3^rd.
Kodi Hall, 29 of Dothan, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana 1^st.
Vilinte Casey, 44, of Dothan, Drug Trafficking.

March 22, 2023

Arrest Made In Robbery Of An ATV

In January 2023, a victim reported to the Dothan Police Department he had been robbed at gunpoint of an ATV he was attempting to sell. The victim met the supposed buyer in the 1200 block of Greenwood Drive. When the victim arrived with the ATV, the suspect produced a weapon and took the ATV. The ATV was later found abandoned across town from where it was taken.

This has been an ongoing investigation. The suspect in this case has now been identified as 20 year-old Mi’Qhueil Jasiah Whigham of Dothan. Whigham has been charged with one count of Robbery First Degree and his bond was set at $30,000.00.

Mi’Qhueil Jasiah Whigham – Robbery First Degree

March 21, 2023

Man Charged with Arson for Setting Fire to an Occupied Residence

On Monday, March 20, 2023, at approximately 8:20 PM, the Dothan Fire Department and the Dothan Police Department responded to a structure fire in the 900 block of Eastwood Drive. The Dothan Fire Department arrived on scene to find the single story residence fully involved in fire. Firefighters worked for several minutes to extinguish the fire before determining they suspected arson was the cause of the fire. A Dothan Police Department Criminal Investigator was called to the scene who worked hand in hand with the Dothan Fire Department, and together they deemed arson was the cause of the fire.

The suspect of the arson, Kenneth Bernard Wood Jr, and his roommate both resided in the residence. The roommate, who was asleep at the time the fire started, woke to the residence filled with smoke and crawled out. It was learned that Wood and a family member of the roommate had a verbal disagreement earlier in the day. When officers attempted to take a statement from Wood, he refused to acknowledge them, provide a statement, give his name or identifying information and became disorderly.

As a result, 35 year-old Kenneth Bernard Wood Jr. of Dothan, was arrested and charged with one count of Arson First Degree, and one count of Obstructing Governmental Operations. His bond was set at $66,000.00.

Kenneth Bernard Wood Jr. – Arson First Degree and Obstructing Governmental Operation

March 16, 2023August 18, 2023

Corrected: Arrest Made in Weekend Traffic Accident

On March 11, 2023, at approximately 10:55 pm, the Dothan Police Department responded to a motor vehicle accident with critical injuries in the 2500 block of Ross Clark Circle. The accident was involving a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The driver, 30-year-old Derik Levi Blessing, and passenger, 42-year-old Audrey Kay Jenkins were both pronounced deceased at the scene. Both victims resided in Dothan.

Also involved in the accident was a 2021 Dodge Charger driven by 42-year-old Leon Aubrey Jones Jr. After an investigation by the Dothan Police Department Crash Team, It was determined that Mr. Jones was traveling at excessive speeds and under the influence of alcohol. He was also determined to be the reason for the crash. Due to these contributing factors Leon Aubrey Jones Jr. has been charged with two counts of manslaughter. He has bonds totaling 60,000.00.

The Dothan Police Department would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Blessing and Jenkins families.

William E. Benny
Chief of Police

Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly indicated that Jones was charged with criminally negligent homicide.

March 15, 2023

Shots fired call leads to three arrests

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at approximately 5:20 p.m., Dothan Communications received a call for gunshots fired in the area of South Alice Street and West Selma Street. Multiple patrol officers were dispatched to the area where they began to canvass the area. Unfortunately, no suspects were located at that time. The Dothan Police Department’s Gun Investigation Unit (GIU) responded and identified a residence in the 1600 block of South Alice Street where a fight had occurred in the yard involving multiple subjects minutes prior to the gunshots fired call.

On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, the Dothan Police Department’s Gun Investigation Unit executed a search warrant in the 1600 block of South Alice Street, where contact was made with Lashawn Shiver and Tracy Porter. During the search Investigators located four (4) handguns, three (3) high-capacity magazines, and ammunition. Investigators also located and seized synthetic marijuana, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. While on scene, Desmond Griffin arrived and began interfering with investigators. After numerous commands to leave the scene, and failing to do so, Griffin was placed under arrest of Obstructing Governmental Operations.

Lashawn Shiver, 43-years-old of Dothan was arrested for active warrants with Houston County Sheriff’s Office to include Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. Mr. Shiver has the charge of Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Firearm pending. Tracy Porter, 53-year-old of Dothan was arrested for Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstructing Governmental Operations. Desmond Griffin, 32-years-old of Dothan was charged with Obstructing Governmental Operations. The case is still under investigation and more charges are forthcoming.

The Dothan Police Department fully supports the Second Amendment and the Constitutional Carry Laws of the State of Alabama. However, when a person or people decide to disregard the safety of children across the street, at a school, playground, or any place of recreation we will take every action and use every resource available to us to bring those responsible to justice. The City of Dothan and its Police Department will not sit by and let this type of behavior go unchecked.

William E. Benny
Chief of Police