Online Chat Operation Leads to Arrests of 11 Men Attempting to Meet Juvenile for Sex

On March 21st and 22nd, 2024, the Dothan Police Department, in coordination with Covenant Rescue Group, conducted a cyber operation at an undisclosed location in Dothan.  Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division and Covenant Rescue Group had online chats with people looking for illicit sexual activities.    Covenant Rescue Group (CRG) is an organization that supports law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of child exploitation/human trafficking cases at both the state and federal levels.

During the operation, several conversations took place, which led to suspects attempting to meet the underage juveniles for the purpose of unlawful sexual contact.  Eleven individuals agreed to meet.  This led to the arrest of 11 men on 37 felony charges and 2 misdemeanor charges.  The suspects were taken into custody upon their arrival.  Among the charges was Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act.

The Dothan Police Department would like to thank Covenant Rescue Group, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Marshal’s Service, and the Houston/Henry County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this operation.  More charges are pending based on the operation.  Those arrested are:

Judah Jabez Davis (19) of Dothan- Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act- No Bond
Jeremy Alexander Critten (32) of Dothan- Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act- No Bond
Jermaine Sanquil Smith (32) of Troy, AL- Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act- No Bond
Kyle Leander Nelson (35) of Highland Home, AL- Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act- No Bond
Chatwarong Srithanat (29) of Dothan- Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act- No Bond
Thomas Dewey Fye (60) of Kinsey, AL- Human Trafficking 1st degree (2 counts), Electronic Solicitation of a Child (2 counts), and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act (2 counts)- No Bond
Scott Evans Anderson (63) of Toledo, OH- Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act- No Bond
Ray Charles Reed Jr. (40) of Arlington, GA- Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act- No Bond
Justin Lloyd Billings (34) of Enterprise, AL- Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act- No Bond
Carey Jamal Wright (33) of Dothan- Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana 2nd, Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act- No Bond
Gilberto Roman Reyes (35) of Enterprise, AL- Human Trafficking 1st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, Attempting to Elude a Police Officer and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act- No Bond

Woman Arrested After Striking Victim with Vehicle

On March 18, 2024, Dothan Police Officers responded to a residence in the 2000 block of Aberdeen Drive to a pedestrian struck with a vehicle. When officers arrived and began to investigate, it was determined the suspect, Nakeima Thomas (25) of Dothan, and the victim had a previous disagreement over a relationship with a male acquaintance. Thomas, on the day of the incident, drove to the victim’s residence to continue the altercation.

When the victim came outside the residence, Thomas accelerated her vehicle and struck the victim causing the victim to be knocked into some bushes. As she was in her vehicle, Thomas got her vehicle stuck in the mud.  After Thomas’ vehicle would not drive, Thomas got out of her vehicle, entered the victim’s vehicle, stole the keys, and threw them in an unknown location. Thomas then began to strike the victim’s vehicle with a piece of wood, which caused substantial damage to the victim’s vehicle.  Thomas was charged with Attempted Assault 1st degree and Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle.  The victim was checked at the scene by Dothan Fire Medics and had no serious injuries.

Nakeima Monai Thomas (25) of Dothan- Attempted Assault 1st Degree and Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, $30,000 bond total

Panama City Man Charged with Murder in Dothan

On October 31, 2023, the Dothan Police Department responded to a welfare check at an apartment in the 600 block of South Lena Street. The person reporting was worried they had not had contact with the person living in the apartment. Officers arrived and tried to make contact. Their efforts to contact Allen were unsuccessful at the front door. When officers went around the rear of the apartment, they noticed the backdoor was unsecured, and they entered the apartment.

Allen was not in the apartment. Based on the circumstances surrounding Allen’s disappearance, officers requested an investigator. Investigators initiated a missing persons investigation to find the occupant of the apartment. On November 6, 2023, investigators were notified by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office that the missing person, Marisa Allen (32) of Dothan, was found the day before (November 5) in the bay near Lynn Haven, FL. Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigators charged a male acquaintance of Allen’s, Santeni Green, with one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence. Since November 6, 2023, Green has been held with no bail in the Bay County Jail.

After Allen’s body was located, officers obtained a search warrant for her apartment and found evidence to suggest that foul play was involved. On March 11, 2024, forensic analyses were completed, which provided enough evidence to charge the suspect, Santeni Deangelo Green (41) of Panama City, Florida, with the murder of Allen. No further information will be released due to the ongoing investigation.  Green will remain in the Bay County Jail until released.  Once released, Green will be extradited to Alabama.

William E. Benny, Chief of Police 

Two Dothan Women Arrested for Giving False Statements to Police

On February 17, 2024, Dothan Police Officers were called to a local hospital in reference to a sexual assault.  The victim had arrived at the hospital to receive treatment and have evidence collected of a sexual assault that took place in the 2500 block of Choctaw Street at a residence.  After giving multiple statements about the crime, investigators believed a crime had taken place based on what the alleged victim and witness reported.

A thorough investigation was started in order to gather evidence in the event of a prosecution.  However, it was found that the statements given by the alleged victim, Erika Holloway (19), and the witness, Chasity Scrimpsher (26), had several inconsistencies and outright false statements.  Holloway and Scrimpsher were confronted with the evidence their statements were false.  After being confronted, both admitted they knowingly gave false statements to investigators.

Both subjects were arrested and charged with one count of False Reporting to Law Enforcement each.  The person accused by these two suspects was exonerated of any and all charges related to this case.

Erika Eve Holloway (19) of Dothan- False Reporting to Law Enforcement
Chasity Paige Scrimpsher (26) of Dothan- False Reporting to Law Enforcement

Press Release on Murder-Suicide on Wednesday

On March 6, 2024, the Dothan Police Department received reports of a shooting in the 900 block of East Bunche Street. The first patrol officers arrived on scene within three minutes of being dispatched. When the first officer arrived, he located a female victim in the front yard of the residence suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. According to eyewitnesses, the suspect of the shooting was observed running into the residence. While officers set up a perimeter around the residence, Dothan Fire Department Paramedics checked on the victim and determined she was deceased. Dothan High School was placed on soft lockdown until the situation could be resolved.

As officers had the residence surrounded, Crisis Negotiators arrived on scene and began trying to make contact with the suspect, who was believed to possibly be inside the residence. After about an hour with no contact, the Special Response Team forced open the front door. The Bomb and Explosive Detection Team utilized their robot to enter the residence. With a camera on the robot, team members were able to observe a male matching the suspect’s description in the residence who appeared to be deceased. The suspect was confirmed dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound when officers entered.

The victim was identified as Reinetta Ann Lewis (62). The suspect was identified as her ex-husband, Ansel Lewis (67). The motive for the murder appears to be domestic. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family during this difficult time.

Further inquiries about the case can be forwarded to Lt. Owens.

Registered Sex Offender Arrested for Sex Crime

In December 2023, Dothan Investigators were notified that a victim disclosed to a mandatory reporter that the suspect, Thomas Thiel Jr., had inappropriate sexual contact with the victim.  The mandatory reporter notified Dothan Police and started an investigation.  As a result of the investigation, investigators gathered enough information to charge Thiel with one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child Less than 12 Years Old.  The offense occurred between August 2019 and August 2020.  Thiel was arrested in the early morning hours of March 6, 2024, since he was a registered sex offender in Dothan.  Thiel’s bond has been set at $30,000, and he was placed in the Houston County Jail.

Due to the age of the victim and privacy laws, no further information will be released.

Thomas Michael Thiel Jr- Sexual Abuse of a Child Less than 12, $30,000 bond

Dothan Police Arrest Man on Warrant for Accessory to Murder in Florida

On March 4, 2024, investigators from the West Palm Beach Police Department in Florida contacted Dothan Police investigators requesting assistance on an investigation.  According to Florida authorities, Eric Robinson, who was living in Dothan, was wanted on an outstanding warrant for Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder with a Firearm.  Investigators, after finding an address for Robinson, immediately went to set up surveillance on the residence.

After a period of time, Robinson was observed leaving the residence and going to a vehicle.  Robinson was confronted by police and was arrested without incident.  Robinson is being held on a Fugitive Warrant in Alabama with no bond while he waits for extradition to West Palm Beach.

Any further inquiries on the case should be directed to West Palm Beach Police Department.

Eric Robinson- Fugitive from Justice (Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder with a Firearm in FL), No bond.

Dothan Man Arrested in 22-Year-Old Murder Case

On December 30, 2001, Sharon Mills, then 49 years old, went missing in Dothan.  Sharon was officially reported missing by her husband, Dwight Mills.  A month after she was reported missing, Sharon’s body was found across the Florida State line in Holmes County.  Dothan Investigators were notified and continued their investigation into her death.  When all leads had been exhausted in the case, the investigation stalled.

In a periodic review of the old case file, new information on the case was uncovered, which led investigators to reinvestigate all aspects of the case.  With fresh eyes, current investigators worked new and old leads, tips, and processed several pieces of evidence to solve the case.  As a result, investigators developed enough information to obtain a warrant of arrest for Dwight Mills in connection with the murder of Sharon Mills.

On February 26, 2024, Investigators from the Dothan Police Department and members of the United States Marshal Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Dwight Morgan Mills (69) of Dothan for Murder and Abuse of a Corpse in the death of Sharon Mills.

The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the United States Marshal’s Service for their assistance in the investigation and arrest.

What are commonly referred to as “cold cases” are always on the minds of police investigators.  No murder case is ever “closed”, and the Dothan Police Department will always proceed forward in the prosecution of a case, no matter how much time has passed.  Investigators have recently reviewed other “cold cases” and are actively working on them.  We will do everything we can to bring closure to families and perpetrators to justice.  If you have information on a case, we encourage you to bring that to our attention.

Dwight Morgan Mills (69) of Dothan, Murder and Abuse of a Corpse- $1,510,000 bond

Dothan Woman Arrested for Willful Child Abuse by Investigators

On February 14, 2024, the Dothan Police Department received reports of a child with injuries to the head and face from a local doctor’s office.  Investigators were called and began looking into how the injuries were caused.  After the investigation, Investigators from the Special Investigations Unit arrested and charged Olivia Loupe with one count of Willful Child Abuse.  Loupe was transported to the Houston County Jail with a $15,000 bond.

Due to the age of the victim and privacy laws, no further information will be released.

Olivia Rose Loupe, Willful Child Abuse- $15,000 bond

Dothan Woman Charged with Willful Child Abuse

On February 8, 2024, the Dothan Police Department received reports of a minor under the age of 18 who was observed with injuries to the face and legs.  As a result of the investigation, the Special Investigations Unit charged Kasheca Carter (40) of Dothan with one count of Willful Child Abuse.  Carter was determined to be the responsible party of the minor.  Carter was transported to the Houston County Jail with a bond of $15,000.

Due to the age of the victim and privacy laws, we are unable to comment further on the investigation.

Kasheca Carter (40), Willful Child Abuse- $15,000 bond
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