Category: Arrests

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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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Woman Allegedly Rams Car on Roadway

On March 26, 2022, Candance Ann Smith engaged in a road rage incident that began near Blakely, GA.  Smith attempted multiple times to stop the victim, with whom she had been in a relationship with, and his vehicle between Blakely, GA, and Dothan.

Once in the 1400 block of Ross Clark Circle in Dothan, Smith’s vehicle and the victim’s vehicle collided while traveling on the roadway.  As a result, the victim’s vehicle lost control and left the roadway, receiving moderate damage.  Neither of the two adult occupants in the victim’s vehicle was injured.

Candace Anne Smith – Attempted Assault 1st X2
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Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Debit Cards

On March 28, 2022, a patrol officer conducted a traffic stop in the 800 block of South Alice Street for a traffic violation.  During the course of the stop, a probable cause search was conducted.  The driver and only occupant of the vehicle, Billy Jo Brown, was found to be in possession of multiple debit cards that did not belong to him. The names on the cards were someone he had no association with.  It was determined Brown did not have permission nor a plausible reason as to why he was in possession of them.

Billy Jo Brown, of Dothan, AL was charged with four counts of Illegal Possession of a Debit Card.  His bond was set at $40,000.00.   The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be forthcoming.

Billy Jo Brown – Four Counts of Illegal Possession of Debit Card
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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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Wife Charged with Shooting into Husbands Residence

On Saturday, March 19, 2022, Lue Ellen went to the 1100 Block of Williams Avenue and attempted to confront her estranged husband who she has been separated from for several months.  When she was denied access to the residence, she began firing a handgun thru the door. When shots were fired, the estranged husband and several guests began running to get away from Lue Ellen.  Lue Ellen then entered the residence and chased after the estranged husband before running out another door of the residence.  Fearing for the safety of others, the estranged husband tackled Lue Ellen and held her until police arrived and placed her in custody.

As a result of this incident, Lue Ellen March, 60 years of age, was arrested and charged with one count of Discharging Firearm into an Occupied Dwelling, and one count of Domestic Violence First Degree.  Her bond was set at $90,000.00.

Lue Ellen Maybin March- Domestic Violence 1st, Shooting into an Occupied Building
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Charged for Smoking Marijuana in the Presence of the Child

On March 19, 2022, Dothan Police Officers were answering a call at a Motel in the 2800 block of Ross Clark Circle when they smelled the odor of marijuana coming from a neighboring room.  Officers made contact with the occupants of that room and identified them as Christopher Williams and Charkelia Wade.  Also present in the room was a small child.  Williams and Wade both admitted to smoking marijuana prior to the arrival of the officers.  During the course of their investigations, officers discovered two individual bags of what they believed to be marijuana.   Also called to the scene to assist was the Houston County Department of Human Resources due to the small child being present.

As a result of this incident, 37 year-old Christopher Williams and 32 year-old Charkelia Wade were both arrested and each was charged with one count of Chemical Endangerment of a Child.  Each one had a bond of $15,000.00.

Charkelia Diane Wade – Chemical Endangerment
Christopher Leander Williams – Chemical Endangerment
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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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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.

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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.

 

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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.

Letrevius Thomas-Jackson- Murder
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