Category: Arrests

Narcotics investigators received information of an individual selling fentanyl from his residence on Blue Bird Dr as well as a residence on Ozark Street in Dothan from several different sources.  The investigation progressed quickly, which led investigators to obtain search warrants related to the case.  On June 22, 2026, Narcotics Investigators executed search warrants on the Blue Bird residence as well as the Ozark Street residence.  During the searches, investigators located and seized 66 grams of powder fentanyl, approximately $14,000 in U.S. Currency and two handguns.

The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the individuals that gave information to help stop this individual from selling fentanyl in the City of Dothan.  Our police department is more efficient when the community partners with us to reduce and eradicate crime.  Thomas Tabriz Holston Jr (24) of Dothan was arrested for Drug Trafficking-Fentanyl and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  More charges are possible as the investigation is ongoing.  Holston was booked into the Houston County Jail and is currently being held without bond.

-Chief William E. Benny

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On June 12, 2026, just after 10:00 pm, the Dothan Police Department received reports of a firearm assault at a business in the 3700 block of South Park Avenue.  Upon arrival, officers found a female with a gunshot wound to the upper chest.  Immediate medical attention was given by officers until paramedics arrived to transport the victim to a local hospital.

According to investigators, the victim along with two other individuals were meeting with another group to buy marijuana.  During the meeting, payment for the drugs took longer than expected, which led to a tense argument between the parties.  During the argument, the suspect, Peyton Ann Kroger (24) of Ozark, pulled a firearm and fired rounds at the group.  One round struck the business behind the group while people in the group fled from gunfire.  After the group entered a vehicle to leave, Kroger approached the vehicle and fired more rounds.  This second round struck the victim in the upper chest.  The victims fled to the roundabout at Campbellton Road and Taylor Road to wait for law enforcement.  The victim was treated at a local hospital and released the same night.

During the investigation, officers were able to locate Kroger, who was taken into custody for the shooting without incident.  Kroger was arrested and charged with one count of Assault 1^st degree, two counts of Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, and one count of Shooting into an Occupied Building.  Kroger was booked into the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond.

-Chief William E. Benny

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On June 5, 2026, around 8:30 am, the Dothan Police Department received a call about shots fired at a business in the 1500 block of Montgomery Highway.  When officers arrived, the suspect, identified as Melva Lee Guilford, was actively firing her gun in the air and into a nearby vehicle.  Officers made contact with Guilford, and she complied with demands to drop the weapon.  Guilford was taken into custody without further incident.

According to investigators, Guilford was upset at relationship problems with the victim and arrived at the victim’s place of employment armed with a firearm.  The vehicle that was shot was the victim’s vehicle.  Guilford was arrested and charged with one count of Shooting into an Unoccupied Vehicle and Domestic Violence 3^rd.

(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.

(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.

(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 18^th.  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 19^th 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 6^th.  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

(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 6^th, 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

(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 1^st degree, Attempted Theft of Property 1^st degree, Assault 3^rd 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

(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