Tag: investigations

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Gunfire Leads To Multiple Charges

On March 20, 2022, several gunshots were fired in the 1000 block of Lake Street in Dothan.  When officers arrived, all parties involved had left the scene.  It was determined more than one participant was involved in an exchange of gunfire.  Both, buildings and vehicles were struck during the gunfire but luckily no one was struck or injured during the incident.   As the investigation progressed over the course of several days, it led to the participants of the gunfire exchange being identified.

Arrested:  Tydarrius Deshun Terrell Franklin, 21 years-old of Dothan, has been arrested and charged with three counts of shooting into an unoccupied building.  He is being held with no bond.

Wanted: Jahunter Imorriss Johnson, 19 years-old of Dothan, is currently being sought for three counts of shooting into an unoccupied building.

Wanted:  James Arthur Beasley Jr., 30 years-old of Dothan, is currently being sought for one count of shooting into an unoccupied building and two counts of shooting into an unoccupied vehicle.

Wanted:   Sirmarion Jermond Beasley, 29 years-old of Dothan, is currently being sought for one count of shooting into an unoccupied building and two counts of shooting into an unoccupied vehicle.

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Your Help Is Needed On An Unsolved Murder

It was Easter Sunday, April 7, 1996, when Ruthie Mae Jackson was found viciously murdered in a bedroom of her East Adams Street home in Dothan, AL.  Today marks the 26th Anniversary of her death.

Ruthie Mae Jackson had been cooking food the night before in preparation for Easter lunch with family and friends at her home after church.  When she was found, it was determined her death was the result of being stabbed multiple times.

The person or persons responsible for this have had to live with this on their mind for many years now.  We ask that anyone with information put themselves in the shoes of the family of Ruthie Mae Jackson and imagine what they have been through all these years after losing their loved one to such a senseless death.  Only the person or persons responsible for this know exactly why this happened.  Regardless of their reason, it does not justify taking the life of such a sweet individual, especially when she would have given someone anything they could have needed.  The family deserves closure and justice for the loss of their loved one.

We believe there is someone out there that may know something about the death of Ruthie Mae Jackson, and we continue to solicit help from the public.  No matter how small you think the information may be, we ask that you please share anything you may know.  You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000 or call the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000.

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Man Arrested for Possession of Child Porn

On April 5, 2022, Dothan Police arrested Omarion Jackson, of Dothan, after a lengthy investigation involving child pornography.  This investigation was the result of a tip sent from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  Investigators with the Dothan Police Department, who are members of the ICAC Task Force, began an investigation that led to this arrest.  The investigation revealed Jackson was in possession of multiple files containing child pornography.

Currently, 18 year-old Omarion Jackson, of Dothan, has been charged with 50 counts of possession of Child Pornography.  There is additional evidence, in this case, to be examined which could possibly lead to additional charges.  His bond is currently set at $750,000.00.

Omarion Jackson – 50 counts-Possession of Child Pornography 
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Man Attacked With Paintball Gun

On April 4, 2022, at approximately 10:50 PM, Dothan Police officers responded to an assault call in the 1800 block of Lake Street.  Officers found the victim with injuries to his face, neck, arms, and torso.  The investigation revealed that during a verbal argument, the suspect, Avonte’ O’Shawn Dozier, used a paintball gun and shot the victim multiple times from a close range.  Most of the victim’s injuries were minor except for an orbital socket injury that initially appeared to be moderate to severe.  The victim was transported to a local hospital where he underwent treatment for his injuries.

It is believed Dozier used the paintball gun as a dangerous weapon for the purpose of intentionally causing injury to the victim.  This, coupled with the fact the victim did receive a serious physical injury, 24 year-old Avonte’ O’Shawn Dozier of Dothan, was arrested and charged with one count of Assault First Degree.  His bond was set at $30,000.00.

Avonte’ O’Shawn Dozier – Assault 1st Degree
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Hostile Man Arrested After Refusing To Leave

On April 1, 2022, 33 year-old Anthony Kevin Phillips, Jr., of Dothan, went to the victim’s residence on Cynitha Drive where he was allowed entry because the victim was familiar with him.  After entering, the victim quickly realized Phillips was not acting in a rational manner as he became hostile.  The victim, in fear of their safety, repeatedly told Phillips to leave as the victim retreated to a back room.   Phillips followed and threw the victim to the floor before a family member intervened.  When officers arrived, Phillips was still present.  As a result of his actions, Phillips was charged with Burglary second degree.  His bond was set at $30,000.00.

Anthony Kevin Phillips, Jr. – Burglary 2nd
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Dothan Man Arrested For Domestic Violence Strangulation

On March 29, 2022, a female victim reported to the Dothan Police Department that during the first week of March 2022, she was the victim of domestic violence situation.  She reported during the incident it escalated to the point she was thrown to the floor then choked, cutting her airway off and she could not breathe.

On March 31, 2022, after an investigation into the matter, the Dothan Police Department has arrested 24 year-old Robert Allen Maddox Jr., of Dothan, and charged him with one count of Domestic Violence Strangulation.  His bond was set at $30,000.00.

Robert Allen Maddox Jr. – Domestic Violence Strangulation
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Webb Man Charged With Multiple Counts Of Identity Theft

On March 30, 2022, Jonathan Tyler Grantham, 28 years-old of Webb, AL was charged with several counts of identity theft.   Grantham obtained the victim’s personal and banking information then proceeded to make several online purchases as well as made payments on some of his personal accounts.  At this point in the investigation, it is not clear how Grantham obtained the victim’s information, but it is believed that he did not act alone.  The investigation is ongoing and more arrests may be possible.

Currently, Grantham has been charged with 15 counts of Identity Theft.  His bond is $225,000.00.

Jonathan Tyler Grantham – 15 Counts of Identity Theft
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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

 

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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

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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.

 

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