Press Releases – Page 34 – Dothan Police Department

March 29, 2022

Man Charged With Setting Fires in Downtown Dothan

On March 28, 2022, the Dothan Fire Department and Police Department responded to an active structure fire in the 100 block of South Oates Street. Due to the confined streets of the downtown area and the equipment used to battle the blaze, a small portion of South Oates Street had to be shut down.

Within minutes of this fire, a second active structure fire was discovered in the 200 block of North Oates Street, which was a two-story motel. This too led to the street being shut down, which then caused a large portion of North and South Oates Street to be blocked off. Because the two active fires were within minutes, and within blocks of each other, suspicion was quickly raised. A criminal arson investigator from the Police Department began working alongside the Dothan Fire Marshall and they were able to determine both fires were a result of arson.

Both structures received extensive damage from the fires, however, no one was injured in either fire. Upon officers’ arrival at the second fire, they observed a person of interest coming from the area of the fire. That individual was detained as part of the active investigation. Subsequently, the investigations led to the arrest of 38 year-old Jeffrey Watford, of Dothan, who was charged with two counts of arson second-degree. His bond has been set at $60,000.00. A motive in these cases has not been determined at this time.

Jeffrey Watford – Two Counts of Arson Second Degree

March 28, 2022March 28, 2022

Woman Allegedly Rams Car on Roadway

On March 26, 2022, Candance Ann Smith engaged in a road rage incident that began near Blakely, GA. Smith attempted multiple times to stop the victim, with whom she had been in a relationship with, and his vehicle between Blakely, GA, and Dothan.

Once in the 1400 block of Ross Clark Circle in Dothan, Smith’s vehicle and the victim’s vehicle collided while traveling on the roadway. As a result, the victim’s vehicle lost control and left the roadway, receiving moderate damage. Neither of the two adult occupants in the victim’s vehicle was injured.

Candace Anne Smith – Attempted Assault 1st X2

March 28, 2022

Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Debit Cards

On March 28, 2022, a patrol officer conducted a traffic stop in the 800 block of South Alice Street for a traffic violation. During the course of the stop, a probable cause search was conducted. The driver and only occupant of the vehicle, Billy Jo Brown, was found to be in possession of multiple debit cards that did not belong to him. The names on the cards were someone he had no association with. It was determined Brown did not have permission nor a plausible reason as to why he was in possession of them.

Billy Jo Brown, of Dothan, AL was charged with four counts of Illegal Possession of a Debit Card. His bond was set at $40,000.00. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be forthcoming.

Billy Jo Brown – Four Counts of Illegal Possession of Debit Card

March 22, 2022March 22, 2022

Dothan fire medic arrested for theft of narcotics

The Dothan Police Department was notified by the Dothan Fire Department after a routine inventory that there was a missing amount of narcotics from a narcotics storage facility operated by the Fire Department. An investigation was started and the DEA was notified since the missing narcotic was identified as forty-two (42) one dose vials of Fentanyl, a Schedule II/IIN Controlled Substance. Substances in this schedule have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine.

Today that investigation has ended with the arrest of Jesse R. Taylor of Rehobeth. Taylor was a Dothan Fire Medic at the time of the theft and is responsible for the theft of the medication. Taylor has been on administrative leave since Wednesday, March 16, 2022. He is charged with Trafficking in Fentanyl and Theft of Property 2nd degree. Taylor has been booked into the Dothan City jail with bonds totaling $30,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and US Attorney’s Office have been notified and additional charges are possible.

Taylor has been served a notice of termination and the City will follow Dothan Personnel Rules and Regulations concerning his due process.

It is disturbing to all when a member of the public safety community violates the trust placed on them by the citizens they serve. The Dothan Fire Department and Chief Larry Williams have been transparent and assisted in the investigation in every way possible. By the nature of Taylor’s position in the Fire Department, he was able to access the storage location and remove the medication without suspicion until the inventory revealed the discrepancy. There are no other suspects in this case.

Since this case can be adopted into the Federal system, no other information can be released at this time. Any further questions should be directed to the DEA or the US Attorney’s Office in Montgomery.

William E. Benny
Chief of Police

March 22, 2022

CALEA Accreditation Call-In Session

If you have questions or concerns regarding the Dothan Police Department’s CALEA Accreditation and were unable to attend the public hearing zoom session on March 21, 2022 and would still like to speak to a CALEA assessor, there is a call-in session scheduled for March 22, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes in an effort to accommodate all concerns and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA Standards. The phone number to reach CALEA assessor will be 334-615-3999. This phone number will only be active and monitored during the times listed above. If you still need a copy of the CALEA Standards, you can obtain a copy at the Dothan Police Department lobby located at 210 N. St. Andrews St. Dothan, AL 36303 through March 22, 2022.

William E. Benny
Chief of Police

March 21, 2022

Wife Charged with Shooting into Husbands Residence

On Saturday, March 19, 2022, Lue Ellen went to the 1100 Block of Williams Avenue and attempted to confront her estranged husband who she has been separated from for several months. When she was denied access to the residence, she began firing a handgun thru the door. When shots were fired, the estranged husband and several guests began running to get away from Lue Ellen. Lue Ellen then entered the residence and chased after the estranged husband before running out another door of the residence. Fearing for the safety of others, the estranged husband tackled Lue Ellen and held her until police arrived and placed her in custody.

As a result of this incident, Lue Ellen March, 60 years of age, was arrested and charged with one count of Discharging Firearm into an Occupied Dwelling, and one count of Domestic Violence First Degree. Her bond was set at $90,000.00.

Lue Ellen Maybin March- Domestic Violence 1st, Shooting into an Occupied Building

March 21, 2022

Charged for Smoking Marijuana in the Presence of the Child

On March 19, 2022, Dothan Police Officers were answering a call at a Motel in the 2800 block of Ross Clark Circle when they smelled the odor of marijuana coming from a neighboring room. Officers made contact with the occupants of that room and identified them as Christopher Williams and Charkelia Wade. Also present in the room was a small child. Williams and Wade both admitted to smoking marijuana prior to the arrival of the officers. During the course of their investigations, officers discovered two individual bags of what they believed to be marijuana. Also called to the scene to assist was the Houston County Department of Human Resources due to the small child being present.

As a result of this incident, 37 year-old Christopher Williams and 32 year-old Charkelia Wade were both arrested and each was charged with one count of Chemical Endangerment of a Child. Each one had a bond of $15,000.00.

Charkelia Diane Wade – Chemical Endangerment

Christopher Leander Williams – Chemical Endangerment

March 21, 2022

Man Charged with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

On March 19, 2022, the Dothan Police Department responded to the 700 block of Walnut Street for a complaint of possible animal cruelty. Upon arrival, officers discovered a young bulldog laying in the backyard tethered to a steel cable attached to a nearby fence. The dog had multiple injuries including lacerations to the head, face, neck, and legs. The dog also had no shelter, food, or access to water.

Contact was made with the owner of the dog, Andrew Marquis Thomas, at the same address. He stated the dog ran off and got into a fight with another dog down the street. He admitted to striking the dog multiple times on the head with a large board to make him stop fighting. He then took the dog home where he admitted to beating the dog again with an extension cord as punishment. Thomas admitted to having an anger management issue and stated he “kept beating the dog”. Of the multiple injuries to the dog, some were caused from the fight, and some were caused by the actions of Thomas.

Dothan Animal Control responded to the scene and took possession of the dog and immediately began first aid on him. The dog is currently being treated by a local veterinarian and the exact extent of the injuries has not been determined yet.

As a result of this incident, Andrew Marquis Thomas, 30 years old, of Dothan, was arrested and charged with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. His bond was set at $15,000.00.

March 21, 2022

Chemical Endangerment of a Child Arrest

On March 19, 2022, Dothan Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 26-year-old Likimbria Boyton in the 1000 block of South Oates Street. Also in the vehicle with her were four children ranging in age from 1 year old to 16 years old. During the course of the investigation, the odor of marijuana was detected. Also found in the vehicle was a substance believed to be marijuana which was accessible to the children in the vehicle. Boyton admitted to smoking marijuana in the vehicle prior to the traffic stop while the children were present. Subsequently, Boyton was arrested for Chemical Endangerment of a child.

Likimbria Boyton, 26 years old, of Opelika, AL, was charged with four counts of Chemical Endangerment of a child. Her bond was set at $10,000.00

Likimbria Lashuan Boyton – Chemical Endangerment X4

March 21, 2022March 21, 2022

Female Goes on Biting Rampage Against Officers

On March 18, 2022, officers and investigators responded to the 2200 block of Westgate Parkway to investigate a citizen’s complaint. Officers made contact with the resident, Devaundria Glanton. While speaking to Glanton, officers noticed she had three small children in the residence as well. Officers addressed the initial issue with Glanton and at that point believed the issue to be resolved. Officers had completed their initial reason for being there but were still in the area when they noticed Glanton leave her residence without her children. Officers made contact with Glanton again to address the fact of her leaving her small children unattended. At this point, Glanton became disorderly and non-compliant. Due to their concern for the safety and well being of the children, Officers contacted the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and requested they respond to the scene. When DHR arrived, Glanton became even more non-compliant and disorderly. Officers attempted to take Glanton into custody and she began to go on a rampage. While taking Glanton into custody, she managed to bite three different officers, and spit in the face of one officer.

Devaundria Glanton, 21 years old, of Dothan was charged with 3 counts of Assault Second Degree with no bond.