Press Release for Murder Investigation

On Sept. 10, 2018 at approximately 6:30 a.m. Dothan Police Officers responded to a 911 call reporting an assault in the 300 block of Pettus St. Dothan. Moments later Officers arrived scene to discover a white male, later identified as 59-year-old Neal Craft Barber, laying in the driveway.  It was obvious to the Officers that Barber had suffered some sort of trauma as Dothan Fire Medics arrived to medically assess the victim.  It was determined that Barber had succumbed to his injuries before the Officers or Medics arrival and he was not transported to a medical facility.

Upon examination of Barber and the surrounding scene, it was determined that he was the victim of an assault that occurred sometime in the early morning hours on Sept. 10th.  Dothan Police Patrol Officers located and detained several persons of interest at the scene in a storage building at the rear of the residence.  Investigators obtained a search warrant for the property and discovered that the storage building was the physical crime scene where Barber was assaulted.  All of the people located in the storage building were transported to the Dothan Police Department.

Once the crime scene was processed and interviews were conducted by Dothan Police Crime Scene Investigators and Criminal Investigators, it was discovered that earlier that morning there was an argument that led to a physical altercation. During that altercation Barber suffered multiple injuries caused by blunt force trauma to his head that were not survivable.  Probable cause was established to charge two people with the murder of Barber.

Charged with Murder are 24-year-old Dontavious Givens, of Pettus Street Dothan, and Jatavion Lakeldrick Collins, of Monument Street Dothan. Both individuals arrested are being held with a no bond. Both suspects will be scheduled for a Preliminary Hearing in Houston County Circuit Court.

 

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Trafficking Arrests

On 08/13/2018 Investigators with the Vice Intelligence Division conducted a traffic stop in the community known as Ford Country following a two month investigation into narcotics being sold in the south side of Dothan. During the course of that traffic stop Investigators recovered synthetic marijuana from the vehicle.

Investigators then executed a search warrant in the 1200 block of Judson Street as a continuation of this investigation. Investigators recovered approximately a half pound of synthetic marijuana, a firearm, and U.S. currency.

Investigators have arrested and charged 39 year old Dwight Thomas, of Judson Street, with Drug Trafficking.

Investigators have arrested and charged 25 year old Jessica Reynolds, of Judson Street, with Drug Trafficking. Reynolds was also arrested for a Chemical Endangerment warrant from a previous investigation.

Student Carries Loaded Gun to School

On Monday, 8-13-2018, a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Dothan High School was notified of a student on campus who was possibly in possession of a gun. The SRO immediately made contact with the 17-year-old suspect, removed him from class and conducted an investigation.  The SRO determined the student was in fact armed with a handgun. Criminal Investigators were called to the scene and began conducting an investigation.  It was determined the pistol was reported stolen after an automobile break in of an unlocked vehicle in Dothan.  The suspect was taken to the Dothan Police Department for processing. He has been charged with one count of Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Pistol and three counts of Breaking and Entering a Vehicle.  The investigation is still ongoing at this time.   More charges are possible. Due to the suspect being a juvenile, we will not be releasing his name or any information about previous disciplinary/criminal actions.

 

Drug Trafficking Arrests

On 08/09/2018 Vice Investigators were assisting the Criminal Investigations Division as they conducted Sector Patrols in a downtown Dothan area commonly referred to as “The Hill.”

During the course of that patrol Vice Investigators made contact with an illegally parked vehicle in the 800 block of Walnut Street with occupants that were known to sell narcotics. Following the encounter with the vehicle, Investigators recovered synthetic marijuana from the occupants as well as the vehicle. All three occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody.

The following persons were arrested and charged with Drug Trafficking:

  • 39-year-old January Corbitt, of 3000 Ross Clark Circle
  • 25-year-old Shonqueze Franklin, of 300 Marquise Drive
  • 31-year-old Glenn Brooks, of 100 Chevrolet Street

Bonds were set at $25,000. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Sector Patrols will continue as part of the Dothan Police Department’s Crime Reduction Strategy, targeting high crime and drug areas in the City of Dothan.

Man Arrested for Robbery at Tractor Supply

On August 7, 2018 Dothan Police Responded to Tractor Supply, located in the 3700 block of W. Main St., to reports of a robbery in progress. When officers arrived they found that the suspect was being held on the ground by an employee of the business. The suspect was taken into custody at that time.

Employees reported that the Kyle Dustin Head, 26, of Zion Crossroads Virginia walked into the store and put on a pair of new Wolverine boots. Head put his old boots in the new box and attempted to walk out of the store. An employee stopped Him at the door and a struggle ensued. During the struggle Head brandished a knife, but the employee was able to wrestle him to the ground where he held him until police arrived.

The employee suffered bruising to the face and only suffered minor injuries. Head was charged with Robbery 1st Degree and is being held with no bond.

All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

More Charges for Ex Event Planner for Theft of Property

On July 9th, 2018 Dothan Police Investigators arrested Gayla McMullen White and charged her with Theft of Property 1st degree. These charges stemmed from an event planning business, Windmill Station, where Mrs. White was an employee.

Since those charges were filed another victim has come forward and Mrs. White has been charged with a second charge of Theft of Property 1st degree. The victims stated that between the months of February and June 2018 payments totaling $3,000.00 were made to Mrs. White for a wedding at Windmill Station. The business never received these payments and additional charges were filed.

Mrs. White surrendered herself to the Dothan Police Department and has a bond amount of $30,000.00.

All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

Dothan Man Arrested for Several Local Burglaries

On July 17, 2018 patrol officers recognized a man wanted in connection with several burglaries of local businesses. Patrol officers were able to capture 20 year old Brandon Lashun Pearson of Liberty Ct. Dothan.

From June 18, 2018 to July 17, 2018 several local businesses were burglarized by breaking out the front glass doors. Pearson was charged with seven counts of Burglary 3rd degree. The businesses he was charged with are the Dollar General and Hop-In on Cottonwood Highway, Italian Express and People Ready on Ross Clark Circle, Styles Unlimited Barber Shop on South Oates St., Wiregrass Recreation Center on Sixth Ave., and the Family Dollar on Palm Jean Road. Pearson was also charged with one count of Robbery 1st degree for the Robbery of a person in the 300 block of Fifth Avenue.

Pearson was booked into the Dothan City Jail and has bonds totaling $161,000.00.

All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

Shooting Leaves Dothan Man Dead

On July 16, 2018 Dothan Police responded to the 900 block of Sixth Ave. in reference to a firearm assault. When patrol officers arrived they found 24 year old Vantavius Dishon McKay laying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the chest. Officers were able to quickly get Mr. McKay to an ambulance and he was transported to the Southeast Alabama Medical Center. Unfortunately Mr. McKay was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Officers on scene were unsure if the person who shot McKay was still inside the residence in the 900 block of Sixth Ave. and the decision was made to hold the scene and let the Dothan SRT Team make entry in an attempt to locate him. Once the SRT Team cleared the residence and no one was found inside Investigators began processing the scene.

Shortly after the residence was cleared 36-year-old Dennis Allen Jackson Jr. turned himself in at the Police Department and stated that he was the person involved in the shooting on Sixth Avenue. Multiple witness interviews were conducted as well as an interview with Mr. Jackson. Once those interviews were completed it was determined that this was an ongoing conflict that happened over a period of a few days. Mr. Jackson called and reported the threats against him on the day of the shooting.

After interviews were completed it was determined that Mr. Jackson was acting in self defense and no charges were filed at that time. Investigators consulted with the District Attorney’s Office and the case will be presented to the Grand Jury at a later date.

 

Ex Event Planner Arrested for Theft of Property 1st

On July 9, 2018 Dothan Police Investigators arrested Gayla White and charged her with theft of property 1st degree.  Dothan police received a report of the theft on June 26, 2018 and began an investigation immediately.

Owners of the company, Windmill Station, reported that while Mrs. White was employee she stole $2,700.00 worth of deposits from November 2017 to June 2018. After the investigation was complete Gayla J. McMullen White was charged with one count of theft of property 1st degree. She has a bond amount of $30,000.00.

All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

Dothan Woman Arrested for Arson 1st Degree

On June 22, 2018 Dothan Police responded to a house fire in the 100 block of Woodleigh Road. The fire was extinguished quickly and minimal damage was received to the residence.

The fire was believed to be intentionally set and the residence was occupied at the time the fire was started. A small pouch was set on fire that also burned a fence and the siding on the residence. During the investigation Dana Kay Payne was identified as a suspect in the Arson. Payne and the resident of the apartment were reported to have a history of domestic incidents.

On June 28, 2018 Dothan Police Investigators charged Dana Kay Payne, 46, of Barbara Ct. , Dothan with one count of Arson 1st Degree. She has a no bond at this time.

All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

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