(DOTHAN, Ala) As the investigation continues into allegations against Johnny Mark Dunaway, a former Jerry Lee Faine elementary teacher, investigators continue to process evidence and conduct interviews. As a result of the ongoing investigation, charges have now been filed against two school employees who received the complaints against Dunaway. Bertha Nicole Guilford, Title-IX Coordinator for Dothan City Schools and Sophia Lanette Hedrington, the interim principal at the time, have each been charged with one count of failure to comply with Alabama’s Mandatory Reporting law. Both individuals surrendered themselves to the Houston County jail where they were booked and released on a $1,000.00 bond each. This continues to be an ongoing and active investigation.
Bertha Nichole Guilford (44) of Dothan- Failure to Comply with Alabama Mandatory Reporting Law, $1,000 bondSophia Lanette Hedrington (43) of Ozark- Failure to Comply with Alabama Mandatory Reporting Law, $1,000 bond.
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On Friday, May 22, 2026, the Special Investigation Unit of the Dothan Police Department received a report of an additional juvenile victim related to Johnny Mark Dunaway, a former employee at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School. Investigators conducted a full investigation into the allegations reported to include a forensic interview of the juvenile victim. As a result, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, Dunaway was charged with three additional charges of Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes. A judge set the bond for these charges at $100,000.00 each.
The investigation is still ongoing, and evidence is still being processed. As investigators continue to learn more information, additional charges in the future cannot be ruled out at this time. Due to the juvenile privacy laws of the State of Alabama, specific details related to the crimes cannot be released.
On May 15, 2026, the Dothan Police Department was notified by Houston County Department of Human Resources that a juvenile under the age of 18 tested positive for marijuana while under the care of the suspect, Jessica Edenfield (35) of Dothan. Three other children in the home, all under the age of 5, were tested by Houston County DHR and found to have illicit narcotics in their systems as well.
The investigation determined that Edenfield caused or permitted the children in her home to be exposed to illegal drugs such as methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine. Edenfield was subsequently charged with four felony counts of Chemical Endangerment of a Child. Edenfield was booked into the Houston County Jail on bonds totaling $60,000.
Jessica Jade Edenfield (35) of Dothan- Four counts of Chemical Endangerment of a Child, $60,000 bonds
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On May 22, 2026, Dothan Police Officers responded to the 1400 block of Headland Avenue for a suspicious person call. The person reporting told dispatchers his business’ outside air conditioning unit had been stolen on Monday May 18th. Video surveillance led the person reporting to believe the person responsible was back at the business when he called police. Officers came into contact with the suspect, Jonhas Smith (42) of Dothan. The officer responding also responded to the call on Monday and recognized the suspect as the same from video surveillance also identified the suspect for several other crimes in the past week.
Further investigation revealed Smith was responsible for breaking into vehicles in the 100 block of Ross Clark Circle, 200 block of Ross Clark Circle, 500 block of Bic Road, and this business in the 1800 block of Reeves Street on May 19th as well as the theft of the air conditioning unit. Additionally, Smith was found to be responsible for breaking into vehicles in the 2200 block of Montgomery Highway on May 6th. Smith was arrested and charged with 35 counts of Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle as well as several warrants. Smith was booked into the Houston County Jail with bonds totaling $87,500. Additional charges are possible.
-Chief William E. Benny
Jonhas Jermaine Smith (42) of Dothan- 35 counts of Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, $87,500 bonds
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On May 6, 2026, the Dothan Police Department was notified by Houston County Department of Human Resources about reports of a school employee engaged in inappropriate activity with a student. An investigation was immediately started to assess the allegations. Investigators were told the employee had been placed on administrative leave by the school and no longer around children at the school.
Investigators learned a report was made to Dothan City Schools in February about there being inappropriate conduct on the part of the employee, identified as Johnny Mark Dunaway (55) of Midland City. The complaint was handled internally by Dothan City Schools. Another report was made on April 28, 2026, about Dunaway engaged in similar inappropriate conduct with a student. Again, Dothan City Schools began an internal investigation. Seven days later May 6th, Dothan City Schools notified Houston County Department of Human Resources about the complaint, which was then forwarded to the Dothan Police Department. Dothan Police Investigators conducted a methodical, thorough investigation in the coming days to resolve the case successfully.
Shortly after the investigation started, a forensic interview was conducted where allegations of sexual crimes were disclosed about Dunaway by the student. On May 13, 2026, a search warrant was conducted on Dunaway’s residence in Dale County for evidence related to the complaint. Several items were seized and are in the process of forensic examination. Concurrently, several court orders were sent for various social media and gaming platforms.
The level of trust given to school employees that encounter our children is not one to be taken lightly. When there is evidence that trust has been violated, the Dothan Police Department will not hesitate to take action to protect the children in our schools.
Dunaway has been arrested and charged with seven (7) counts of Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes, one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child less than 12 years old, and one count of Interference with Custody. Dunaway was booked in the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond. Additional charges are possible, and the investigation remains ongoing. With knowledge of previous teaching positions held by Dunaway, information in our investigation will be shared with the appropriate jurisdictions.
The safety of our children is non-negotiable. The Dothan Police Department will devote every available resource to investigating crimes against children, and anyone who exploits a position of trust to victimize a child should expect our full commitment to pursuing justice.
-Chief William E. Benny
Johnny Mark Dunaway (55) of Midland City- Seven counts of Enticing a child, one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child Less Than 12 Years Old, and One count Interference with Custody, No bond
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On May 1, 2026, Dothan Police Officers were called to a business in the 3300 block of South Oates Street for an assault. Officers arrived and spoke with the victim and witnesses. The victim said, as she was walking out to her vehicle, she noticed a male she did not know following. As the victim arrived at her vehicle, the suspect attempted to force the victim into the victim’s vehicle. The victim called for help and a bystander came to assist. The suspect then fled on foot.
The suspect, identified as Traveyon De’Vante Wilcox (40) of Jakin, GA, was contacted by law enforcement, who arrived quickly on scene. As officers were talking with Wilcox, he attempted to flee on foot but was quickly caught by officers.
Wilcox was arrested and charged with Attempted Kidnapping 1st degree, Attempted Theft of Property 1st degree, Assault 3rd degree, Obstruction of Government Operations, Resisting Arrest, and Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer. Wilcox was booked in the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond.
The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the bystander that assisted the victim calling for help during this incident. The quick and brave actions of this individual are to be commended.
-Chief William E. Benny
Traveyon De’Vante Wilcox (40) of Jakin, GA- Attempted Kidnapping 1st degree, Attempted Theft of Property 1st degree, Assault 3rd degree, Obstruction of Government Operations, Resisting Arrest, and Attempted to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer, No bond
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On May 6, 2026, Dothan Police School Resource Officers were notified by school staff of an inappropriate relationship between a school employee and a student who was under the age of 18. The employee, identified as Raymon Antwoine Blackmon (21) of Dothan, engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student while employed by Dothan City Schools.
Blackmon has been charged with one count of School Employee Engaging in Sex Act with a Student. Blackmon was booked in the Houston County Jail with a bond of $30,000. The investigation remains ongoing.
-Chief William E. Benny
Raymon Antwoine Blackmon (21) of Dothan- School Employee Engaged in Sex Act with Student, $30,000 bond
(DOTHAN, Ala.) In April 2026, Dothan Police investigators were contacted by a business that discovered discrepancies in their accounting programs. The discrepancies were indicative of theft or fraud, and the Dothan Police Department was asked to investigate. The investigation revealed that, between September 2025 and April 2026, a total of $853,310.00 was unaccounted for from the business. It was discovered an accounting employee, Danielle Victoria Foster (41) of Enterprise, was responsible for the theft of the money.
Foster has been charged with three counts of Aggravated Theft by Deception. Foster was booked in the Houston County Jail with bonds totaling $90,000.
-Chief William E. Benny
Danielle Victoria Foster (41) of Enterprise- Three counts Aggravated Theft by Deception, $90,000 bond
On April 23, 2026, the Dothan Police Department received a report from an individual who said they were forced off the road on Cottonwood Road near Saunders Road. According to the victim, they were traveling south on Cottonwood Road when a loud sound of screeching tires was heard. The victim realized a silver truck was following her. The victim recognized the vehicle and driver as Jason Allen Waddell (46) of Ashford.
Waddell used his vehicle to force the victim’s vehicle to crash near a church. Before the victim could get out of the vehicle, Waddell entered the vehicle and began physically assaulting the victim. The victim was able to get away from Waddell and escape the scene. According to investigators, they believe, based on witnesses, Waddell thought another individual was inside the vehicle being driven by the victim. The victim was driving this individual’s vehicle at the time of the crash. Waddell was arrested and charged with Assault 1st degree, a Class B felony. Waddell is currently being held without bond at the Houston County Jail. Additional charges are possible pending further investigation that is ongoing.
Jason Allen Waddell (46) of Ashford- Assault 1st Degree, No bond
On April 27, 2026, a Dothan Police officer was patrolling around the 1000 block of Cloverdale when he noticed a man emerging from a wooded area with a passenger seat from a vehicle on his bicycle. The officer approached the man to investigate. During the encounter, Officers asked for consent to search the man’s property. During the search, officers found a debit card that was not in the man’s name. The man, identified as Daniel Shane Pegg (48), did not have a reasonable explanation for having the card.
The officer also had previous knowledge of a report taken for the person whose name was on the card for fraudulent activity after losing the card two days prior. The victim confirmed Pegg was not allowed to have the card. Pegg was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a debit/credit card. Additional charges are possible after an investigation.
Daniel Shane Pegg (48) of Dothan- Illegal Possession of a Credit/Debit Card
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