felony – Page 22 – Dothan Police Department

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 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 16, 2022March 17, 2022

Update: Kidnapping suspect has been identified

UPDATE:

At approximately 5:00 PM on, March 16, 2022, the Dothan Police Department responded to an attempted kidnapping of a small child on Candlewood Drive in Dothan. It was reported two unknown white males in a red Dodge pickup truck stopped in front of the residence where the small child was playing. It was reported the passenger in the truck attempted to grab the small child and pull her into the vehicle.

Multiple investigators began working on this intensely due to the seriousness of the matter. The driver and the vehicle were located. After interviewing multiple witnesses, the driver, and reviewing lots of surveillance video from various locations, it was determined an attempted kidnapping did not occur. The driver, and sole occupant of the vehicle, did stop in the roadway near the small child. Concerned for her safety, he advised her she needed to stay away from the roadway before she got struck by a vehicle. It is believed there was a miscommunication or misunderstanding in information being relayed. However, with the initial indication that such a crime had been committed, we took the matter seriously and did not stop until the investigation proved otherwise.

Circumstances of this nature are never taken lightly and will always be investigated to the fullest extent. The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the public for their assistance in not only this situation but all situations they assist us with. By sharing our stories, providing us information, and helping identify persons of interest, it greatly benefits our investigations.

March 15, 2022March 15, 2022

Unauthorized Test Drive Leads To Arrest

On March 11, 2022, an employee of a car lot located in the 3000 block of South Oates Street witnessed an individual being dropped off in their parking lot. The individual quickly got into a vehicle sitting on the lot and drove away at a high rate of speed. This unapproved test drive was immediately recognized as a vehicle theft in progress and the Dothan Police Department was notified. Within minutes, officers located the stolen vehicle traveling on East Main Street. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and the driver was taken into custody.

Jeremy Jermaine Dortch, 40 years old of Dothan was charged with one count of Theft of Property first degree. His bond was set at $30,000.00.

March 14, 2022March 14, 2022

Man Arrested for Domestic Strangulation and Burglary

On March 13, 2022, the Dothan Police Department responded to a residence on Denton Road in reference to a domestic violence call. Officers made contact with the victim and learned the suspect, 25 year-old Kwentez Lamonte Thomas forced his way into the victims residence while armed with a weapon and began choking her and threatened to kill her.

Kwentez Lamonte Thomas, of Crusseta, GA, was charged with one count of domestic violence first degree and one count of domestic violence strangulation. His bond is $90,000.00.

March 14, 2022March 14, 2022

Father Accused of Killing His Daughter Almost a Year Ago

In March 2021, a report was filed with the Dothan Police Department for a missing person, 38-year-old Tomekia Tiffany Williams. Tomekia was from Jacksonville, FL but was last known to be in Dothan, AL. All leads were exhausted in the investigation of her disappearance at that time.

On February 9, 2022, skeletal remains were found in in the 2000 block of Johntown Road in Ozark, AL. Believing those remains could possibly be Tomekia Tiffany Williams, DNA testing was completed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, confirming it was her.

Ozark Police Department spoke to the last person Tomekia was known to be with, her father, Orlando Williams of Dothan. Information obtained led to investigators from Dothan Police Department joining Ozark Police Department in the joint investigation. During the investigation, it was learned that after the death of Tomekia, Orlando Williams drove around with Tomekia’s body in his vehicle before dumping her body in the wooded area in Ozark.

As a result of the investigation, the Dothan Police Department charged 64 year old Orlando Williams of Dothan with one count of murder for the death of Tomekia Tiffany Williams. His bond was set at $1.5 million. The Ozark Police Department will have additional charges against Orlando Williams.

The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the Ozark Police Department for their assistance in this investigation which has helped bring closure to the family of Tomekia Tiffany Williams.

February 7, 2022February 14, 2022

Friday Night Argument Leads to Murder in Dothan

On February 4, 2022, Dothan Police Officers responded to an address in the 300 block of Rimson Road for an edged weapon assault. When officers arrived on scene, the victim was suffering from multiple stab wounds to his chest and shoulder. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Patrol officers responding to information gathered from the scene were able to locate the suspect a short distance from the scene. Dothan Police Investigators began working the crime scene. The victim was identified as Frenando Quantrill Jones (41) of Dothan.

According to witnesses, Jones and the suspect, Latrevius Thomas-Jackson, became involved in an argument over Thomas-Jackson’s treatment of a female in Jones’ presence. The argument turned into a physical altercation where only minor injuries were reported. Thomas-Jackson then went to the kitchen of the residence, grabbed a large kitchen knife, and returned to continue the altercation with Jones. During the next physical altercation, Thomas-Jackson used the knife to stab Jones multiple times. Jones fled the scene after the incident. Investigators were able to locate the weapon they believe was involved in the incident after statements made by Jones.

Latrevius Hyshon Thomas-Jackson (22) was charged with Murder and is being held on $1.5 million bond.

January 31, 2022February 3, 2022

Dothan Woman Charged with Murder After Assault on Pregnant Victim

On January 24, 2022, Dothan Police Officers responded to a disturbance call in the 100 block of Shadowlawn Drive in Dothan. According to witnesses, the victim and the suspect, Iveonna Turner, got into a physical altercation at that address. During the altercation, Turner struck the victim, who was pregnant, several times in the stomach using her hands and feet during the assault. After the incident, the victim sought medical treatment for pain in her stomach.

A medical examination confirmed the assault lead to injuries of the fetus that left the fetus unviable and unable to survive. In the State of Alabama, a fetus, regardless of its viability, is considered a person. Turner, as a result of the incident, has been charged with murder.

Iveonna Samone Lashay Turner (20) of Dothan has been charged with Murder. Turner’s bond has been set at $500,000.

January 10, 2022January 11, 2022

Arrest Made in Hit and Run with Injuries

On January 6, 2022, Dothan Police Traffic investigators were dispatched to a hit and run accident at the intersection of West Main Street and Moates Street. The two victims were treated at the scene for injuries and a juvenile was transported to the hospital for serious injuries and is currently in stable condition. The suspect fled the scene occupying a white Chevrolet Tahoe.

The suspect, Christian Wade Haney (24) of Ashford, Alabama was identified through strong community help and coordination with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

On January 10, 2022, Haney was arrested for Felony Leaving the scene of an Accident and was transported to the Houston County Jail.

The Dothan Police Department want to thank the Wiregrass Community and Houston County Sherriff’s Office for their assistance in this case. The Dothan Police Department would also like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims of this accident.

December 8, 2021December 9, 2021

DPD Investigators Charge Suspect in October Murder

On October 9, 2021, Dothan Police Investigators began a murder investigation into the death of Sincere Tyson that occurred on Blissett Drive. Investigators found that Tyson had suffered from at least one gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Investigators have been working tirelessly on this case since the date it occurred. On December 8, 2021, Investigators finally have enough evidence to announce charges on one individual involved in the crime.

Early in the investigation, Investigators identified the suspect, Solomon Cooper of Climax, GA, as a person of interest in this case. After many search warrants and subpoenas issued for various items, Investigators found enough evidence that implicates Cooper in the murder. Warrants were obtained for Cooper’s arrest and he currently incarcerated on unrelated charges in Georgia. Once those charges are addressed in Georgia, Cooper will be extradited to Dothan to face charges in this case.

Solomon Terrell Cooper (19) of Climax, GA is charged with one count of Capital Murder-Burglary. Once he is extradited to Alabama, Cooper will be held without bond. More charges are expected at a later date.