In December 2022, Dothan Police Department received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip indicated an individual within the city limits of Dothan had disseminated an image using an electronic messaging platform depicting child pornography. As the investigation continued, the account owner of the electronic messaging platform used to disseminate the image was identified.
On March 9, 2023, a search warrant was executed at the residence of the suspect in the 1200 block of Cannon Road. During the execution of the search warrant, several electronic devices were seized as evidence. On that day, 38 year-old Donny Ray Watkins was charged with one count of Dissemination of Obscene Material.
As the investigation continued and investigators gathered additional information, on March 28, 2023, Watkins was arrested and charged with four counts of Possession of Child Pornography. His bond was set at $60,000.
On Friday, March 24, 2023, Houston County Department of Human Resources notified the Dothan Police Department of a possible Elder Abuse and Neglect situation in the 500 block of South Saint Andrews Street.
An elderly female was found crawling around inside the residence wearing nothing but an adult diaper asking for help. It was discovered she had open wounds and various other medical conditions that had gone untreated and neglected. The victim was transported to a local hospital where she was admitted for inpatient treatment, as well as, possibly undergo surgery for some of her open wounds. An adult relative who resides in the residence with the victim was her primary caregiver. He has now been charged.
Jason Proctor, 37 years-old, has been charged with one count of Elder Abuse and Neglect First Degree. He is currently being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.
Jason Allan Proctor – Elder Abuse and Neglect First Degree
In January 2023, a victim reported to the Dothan Police Department he had been robbed at gunpoint of an ATV he was attempting to sell. The victim met the supposed buyer in the 1200 block of Greenwood Drive. When the victim arrived with the ATV, the suspect produced a weapon and took the ATV. The ATV was later found abandoned across town from where it was taken.
This has been an ongoing investigation. The suspect in this case has now been identified as 20 year-old Mi’Qhueil Jasiah Whigham of Dothan. Whigham has been charged with one count of Robbery First Degree and his bond was set at $30,000.00.
On Monday, March 20, 2023, at approximately 8:20 PM, the Dothan Fire Department and the Dothan Police Department responded to a structure fire in the 900 block of Eastwood Drive. The Dothan Fire Department arrived on scene to find the single story residence fully involved in fire. Firefighters worked for several minutes to extinguish the fire before determining they suspected arson was the cause of the fire. A Dothan Police Department Criminal Investigator was called to the scene who worked hand in hand with the Dothan Fire Department, and together they deemed arson was the cause of the fire.
The suspect of the arson, Kenneth Bernard Wood Jr, and his roommate both resided in the residence. The roommate, who was asleep at the time the fire started, woke to the residence filled with smoke and crawled out. It was learned that Wood and a family member of the roommate had a verbal disagreement earlier in the day. When officers attempted to take a statement from Wood, he refused to acknowledge them, provide a statement, give his name or identifying information and became disorderly.
As a result, 35 year-old Kenneth Bernard Wood Jr. of Dothan, was arrested and charged with one count of Arson First Degree, and one count of Obstructing Governmental Operations. His bond was set at $66,000.00.
Kenneth Bernard Wood Jr. – Arson First Degree and Obstructing Governmental Operation
On March 11, 2023, at approximately 10:55 pm, the Dothan Police Department responded to a motor vehicle accident with critical injuries in the 2500 block of Ross Clark Circle. The accident was involving a 2018 Hyundai Sonata. The driver, 30-year-old Derik Levi Blessing, and passenger, 42-year-old Audrey Kay Jenkins were both pronounced deceased at the scene. Both victims resided in Dothan.
Also involved in the accident was a 2021 Dodge Charger driven by 42-year-old Leon Aubrey Jones Jr. After an investigation by the Dothan Police Department Crash Team, It was determined that Mr. Jones was traveling at excessive speeds and under the influence of alcohol. He was also determined to be the reason for the crash. Due to these contributing factors Leon Aubrey Jones Jr. has been charged with two counts of manslaughter. He has bonds totaling 60,000.00.
The Dothan Police Department would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the Blessing and Jenkins families.
William E. Benny
Chief of Police
Leon Aubrey Jones Jr.
Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly indicated that Jones was charged with criminally negligent homicide.
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at approximately 5:20 p.m., Dothan Communications received a call for gunshots fired in the area of South Alice Street and West Selma Street. Multiple patrol officers were dispatched to the area where they began to canvass the area. Unfortunately, no suspects were located at that time. The Dothan Police Department’s Gun Investigation Unit (GIU) responded and identified a residence in the 1600 block of South Alice Street where a fight had occurred in the yard involving multiple subjects minutes prior to the gunshots fired call.
On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, the Dothan Police Department’s Gun Investigation Unit executed a search warrant in the 1600 block of South Alice Street, where contact was made with Lashawn Shiver and Tracy Porter. During the search Investigators located four (4) handguns, three (3) high-capacity magazines, and ammunition. Investigators also located and seized synthetic marijuana, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. While on scene, Desmond Griffin arrived and began interfering with investigators. After numerous commands to leave the scene, and failing to do so, Griffin was placed under arrest of Obstructing Governmental Operations.
Lashawn Shiver, 43-years-old of Dothan was arrested for active warrants with Houston County Sheriff’s Office to include Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. Mr. Shiver has the charge of Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Firearm pending. Tracy Porter, 53-year-old of Dothan was arrested for Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstructing Governmental Operations. Desmond Griffin, 32-years-old of Dothan was charged with Obstructing Governmental Operations. The case is still under investigation and more charges are forthcoming.
The Dothan Police Department fully supports the Second Amendment and the Constitutional Carry Laws of the State of Alabama. However, when a person or people decide to disregard the safety of children across the street, at a school, playground, or any place of recreation we will take every action and use every resource available to us to bring those responsible to justice. The City of Dothan and its Police Department will not sit by and let this type of behavior go unchecked.
In January 2023, the Dothan Police Department was notified of allegations of sex crimes against a juvenile that had occurred over the past few years. An investigation has been ongoing since that time. As a result of the investigation, on March 13, 2023, warrants were obtained on the suspect for several sex crimes against a juvenile. All of the sex crimes involved the same victim. The suspect has been identified as Marlo Antonio Ming.
On March 14, 2023, officers made contact with Ming and arrested him for the outstanding warrants. At the time of his arrest, Ming was in possession of a firearm that was determined to be stolen. He was also in possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and other material indicative of narcotic sales.
As a result, Marlo Antonio Ming, 26 years-old of Dothan, has been charged with two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child less than 12 years old, one count of Sexual Abuse Second Degree, one count of Rape First Degree, one count of Receiving Stolen Property Second Degree, and one count of Possession of Marijuana First Degree. His total bond was set at $156,000.00.
Due to the sensitive nature of this case and the Alabama Juvenile Privacy Laws, no further information will be released.
Marlo Antonio Ming – Two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child less than 12, One count of Sexual Abuse Second Degree, One Count of Rape First Degree, One count of Receiving Stolen Property Second Degree, and One Count of Possession of Marijuana First Degree
On Sunday, March 12, 2023, officers went to a residence in the 1300 block of Stadium Street to attempt to make contact with an adult male who had an outstanding felony warrant. It was determined the male and three juveniles were inside the residence and initially the male refused to open the door. Officers detected a strong odor of illegal narcotics coming from inside the residence. After several minutes, the male allowed officers to enter the residence. A search warrant was executed on the residence and as a result, marijuana was found in various locations throughout the residence, as well as various items of drug paraphernalia.
The male, James Arshan III, 41 years-old of Dothan, was arrested on the original outstanding warrant for Receiving Stolen Property Second Degree. For the current incident, Arshan was charged with Possession of Marijuana First Degree, and three counts of Chemical Endangerment of a Child. His bond for these charges was set at $60,000.00.
James Arshan III – Possession of Marijuana First Degree and Chemical Endangerment X3
On Sunday, March 12, 2023, officers responded to an assault on an inmate at the Dothan City Jail. Officers found the victim inmate suffering from a facial injury that was caused by a plastic handle of a toothbrush that had been sharpened down into a point and used as a weapon. This weapon is commonly referred to as a “shank”.
The suspect inmate, identified as Tarik Tramon Hawkins, was having a verbal altercation with the victim inmate during which time another inmate, Zyshawn Codaun Coker, provided the weapon to Hawkins. Hawkins took possession of the weapon and used it on the victim before laying it down. Then, another inmate, Romillo Jamal Porter, retrieved the weapon and attempted to hide it in a cell. The weapon was recovered by officers during a search of the cell.
As a result, three individuals have been charged. Tarik Tramon Hawkins, 25 years-old of Dothan, has been charged with one count of Assault Second Degree and one count of Promoting Prison Contraband First Degree.
Zyshawn Codaun Coker, 21 years-old of Dothan, has been charged with one count of Promoting Prison Contraband First Degree.
Romillo Jamal Porter, 27 years-old of Dothan, has been charged with one count of Promoting Prison Contraband First Degree.
Due to the fact these charges are felonies, all three individuals have been transferred to the Houston County Jail where they are being held with no bond.
The victim received treatment at a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Tarik Tramon Hawkins – Assault Second Degree & Promoting Prison Contraband First Degree
Zyshawn Codaun Coker – Promoting Prison Contraband First Degree
Romillo Jamal Porter – Promoting Prison Contraband First Degree
On March 4, 2023 the Dothan Police Department responded to reports of an Assault in the 3000 block of Ross Clark Circle. Upon arrival officers found three victims had been shot with a firearm. Investigators responded to the scene and were able to identify the shooter, Antinio Zy’Keith Turner of Dothan. At this time, Turner has been arrested for three counts of Assault I. He is currently being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond. Victims were treated at area hospitals, and their injuries are not life threatening.
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