Dothan Woman Charged with Directing a Child to Engage in a Sex Act

On Tuesday, December 26, 2023, while investigating a report of a child less than 12 being involved in sexual activity with an adult, it was determined 31-year-old Raynia Eugenia Cooper of Dothan had directed a child to participate in sexual activity. Subsequently, Cooper was charged with one count of Directing a Child to Engage in Sodomy. She is currently being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond. This continues to be an active investigation. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, no further information will be released.

Raynia Eugenia Cooper

Dothan Man Arrested for Sex Crimes

In November 2023, it was reported to the Dothan Police Department that 33-year-old Joshua Kelly Jackson of Dothan had sexual contact with a juvenile under the age of 16. An investigation immediately began to determine the facts related to the incident. As a result, a search warrant was executed at Jackson’s residence in which several items were collected to be processed for possible evidence. Arrest warrants were issued for Jackson for one count of Rape Second degree and one count of Sexual Abuse Second degree. On December 19, 2023, Jackson turned himself in to the Dothan Police Department. He is currently being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

Due to the sensitive nature of this case, no further information will be released.

Joshua Kelly Jackson

Disgruntled Employee Attempts to Retaliate Against Co-Workers

On Thursday, December 14, 2023, Dothan Police Department responded to KFC on the south side of town in reference to a disorderly person armed with a weapon. Officers arrived and found the suspect in the parking lot wearing body armor, a ski mask covering his face, and in possession of a handgun. After giving the suspect multiple orders to drop the weapon, he did so and was taken into custody. He was then identified as 36-year-old Eric Stephen Brown Jr. of Dothan.

Brown, who was an employee of the business, became disgruntled during his shift and was told to leave the business. Brown left as requested, however, shortly returned and confronted several individuals in the parking lot, some of whom were employees. A quick-thinking employee recognized what was occurring in the parking lot and locked the business and had most everyone inside take cover by locking themselves in the back of the business. Others ran out the opposite side of the business and fled. During his rampage, Brown attempted to enter the business but was unsuccessful due to the doors being locked. Brown has been charged with one count of Terrorist Threat in the First Degree. He is being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

Eric Stephen Brown Jr.

Amended Charges on Weekend Murder Suspect

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, at approximately 12:54 PM, the Dothan Police Department began investigating the death of a 17-year-old female who was found inside her residence and transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. The investigation led to 54-year-old Minh Thanh Nguyen of Dothan being charged with one count of Murder.

During the following days, the victim’s body was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery where an autopsy was conducted to gather forensic information to further assist in the investigation. During the autopsy it was determined the victim had been sexually assaulted. It was also discovered the victim had personal property that was missing from her bedroom. By means of a methodical process, investigators were able to track down the victim’s missing property.

In light of the new evidentiary information and after conferring with the Houston County District Attorney, on December 13, 2023, a motion was filed to dismiss the charge of Murder against Minh Thanh Nguyen. He was then charged with one count of Capital Murder-Rape and one count of Capital Murder-Burglary. He is still being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond. This continues to be an active investigation as investigators continue to gather and process crucial information related to this case.

Minh Thanh Nguyen

Arrest Made on December 2022 Murder on Alexander Drive

On Thursday, December 15, 2022, at approximately 6:58 P.M., officers responded to the 1300 block of Alexander Drive to the report of a firearm assault. As a result, the victim, 21-year-old Alfonso Morrissette, of Dothan was pronounced deceased at the hospital shortly after arrival. As a result of this lengthy and ongoing investigation, on December 11, 2023, investigators obtained a warrant for Murder on Keith Shakur Helms for the death of Morrissette. Helms, who was in the Houston County Jail on unrelated charges, was booked on the Murder charge. His bond for the Murder was set at $1.5 Million.

Keith Shakur Helms

 

Dothan Female Murdered

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, at approximately 12:54 PM, the Dothan Police Department received a call reporting suspicious circumstances on Sedona Lane. Officers arrived to find a female victim inside a residence who was unresponsive from what appeared to be the result of a physical altercation. Dothan Fire and Rescue administered medical aid to the female on scene before transporting her to a local hospital. Lifesaving efforts continued at the hospital before she succumbed to her injury. Her body will be sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for determination as to the cause and manner of death. The 17 year old female victim was currently residing in Dothan.

As a result of the investigation, 54 year old Minh Nguyen of Dothan, has been charged with one count of Murder and is being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

Minh Thanh Nguyen

Shooting Leaves One Man Injured

On Sunday, December 3, 2023, at approximately 10:45 AM, Dothan Police Department responded to a firearm assault in the 300 block of North Bell Street. Officers and Dothan Fire and Rescue located a male victim with one gunshot wound to the abdomen. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery for his injury. During the course of the investigation, it was determined the victim’s brother, Windle Eugene Coring, 22 years old, was the person responsible for the shooting. Coring fled the scene prior to officers arriving and he has not been located. An arrest warrant has been obtained for Coring for Assault First Degree. The victim’s injury was not life threatening, and he is expected to make a full recovery. A motive for the shooting has not been determined at this time.

We are asking anyone who knows the whereabouts of Coring or has information related to the incident to contacts us at 615-3000. The Dothan Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identity of anyone wishing to provide information in an anonymous capacity.

WANTED:
Windle Eugene Coring

Suspect Charged in Thanksgiving Eve Murder

The Dothan Police Department has been investigating a murder that took place in the 4000 block of Richland Road on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. During the investigation it was determined 23-year-old Julius Ralph Brown was the person responsible for shooting and killing 19-year-old Antwan Shonquez Register.

With the assistance of the Houston County Sheriff’s Department and Brown’s family members, he turned himself in to the Dothan Police Department on Friday, November 24, 2023, at approximately 6:00 PM. Brown has been charged with one count of Murder and is currently being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

Julius Ralph Brown

Thanksgiving Eve Murder in Dothan

On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at approximately 10:07 PM, the Dothan-Houston County Emergency Operations Center received a call reporting a firearm assault in the 4000 block of Richland Road. Dothan Police Officers and Dothan Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and began life saving measures on the victim who had sustained a gunshot wound to the upper torso. The victim was then transported to Southeast Health where life saving measures continued before he succumbed to the injury.

The victim has been identified as 19-year-old Antwan Shonquez Register of Dothan. This is an ongoing investigation in which investigators are working to identify and locate the person, or persons, responsible. We ask anyone with information related to this incident to please contact the Dothan Police Department at 615-3000. The Dothan Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help in an anonymous capacity.

Dothan Man Charged with Sex Crimes

On November 20, 2023, it was reported to the Dothan Police Department that a juvenile under the age of 16 had been subjected to inappropriate sexual contact by an adult male over an extended period of time. As a result of a subsequent investigation, Jeffery Lee Teague, age 39 of Dothan, was charged with one count of Sodomy First degree, one count of Rape First degree, one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child Less than 12, and one count of Sexual Extortion with a total bond of $180,000.00.

Due to the sensitive nature of this case, no further details will be released.

Jeffery Lee Teague
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