This is a statement from Chief Will Benny:
Dothan City School Bus Driver Charged with Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Child
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On December 9, 2024, Dothan Police Crash Investigators arrested Steven Phillip Valentine for leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries after an incident was reported to police. According to investigators, Valentine was driving a Dothan City Schools bus and dropping kids off in the 300 block of Summerrain Terrace. As students were getting off the bus, Valentine closed the doors to the bus, which caught on a student’s backpack. The student’s backpack and arm were caught in the door when Valentine drove off. After about 150 feet, Valentine realized the child was caught in the door. Valentine stopped, opened the door, and the child then left towards his residence. Investigators determined Valentine had not met his legal obligations to render aid and notify authorities after an accident. In the State of Alabama, a passenger falling from or injured by a vehicle in motion on a public road is considered an accident. Valentine was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries, a felony, and placed in the Houston County Jail with a $15,000 bond.
Shortly after 4:00 pm on December 9, 2024, Dothan Police officers were notified by a responsible party of a child about an incident involving a Dothan City School bus. The child, who was under the age of 12, was getting off the bus in the 300 block of Summerrain Terrace when the bus driver closed the doors to the bus, which trapped the child by his backpack and arm. After driving about 150 feet, the driver, identified as Steven Valentine, realized the child was stuck in the door. The child remained on his feet during the incident but damaged his shoes. After the child was released, Valentine asked the student if he was okay but did not render aid.
Valentine then left the scene and continued his route to drop off students without contacting police or Dothan City School authorities. Police eventually made contact with Valentine at the Dothan City Schools Bus Barn after he completed his route. The child complained of arm and back pain from the incident and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The child has since been released and is expected to recover. Video from the school bus camera confirmed the series of events as the victim told it to police.
School bus drivers have a legal and professional responsibility to their passengers. Anytime they are involved in an accident, drivers are legally bound to render aid and contact the proper authorities about the accident. When a child is injured or involved in an incident such as this, responsible parties are expected to take care of the children on their bus and notify the proper authorities in a timely manner. Valentine was charged with one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries. No further charges are expected.
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Dothan Man Arrested For Financial Exploitation of the Elderly and Impersonating a Peace Officer after Two Month Fake Investigation
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On December 9, 2024, Dothan Police Narcotics investigators arrested Kendrale Lafayette Magwood (37) of Dothan with Financial Exploitation of the Elderly 1st degree and Impersonation of a police officer. Investigators say Magwood, posing as a law enforcement officer, used a ruse to convince the victim to buy narcotics from various sources over the course of two months. After receiving information about Magwood, Investigators used their own ruse to apprehend Magwood without incident.
On December 5, 2024, the victim reported to police that he had been used by a law enforcement officers as an informant to buy suspected narcotics for nearly two months. The victim said he had been made to purchase the “narcotics” with his own money even though the substances turned out to be imitation controlled substances. The victim had been made to believe he would receive leniency on a previous criminal charge.
After receiving information from the victim, Dothan Investigators waited for Magwood to set up another “operation” and took him into custody. Evidence confirming Magwood posed as a law enforcement officer was found in his possession. Magwood was charged with one count of Financial Exploitation of the Elderly 1st degree and Impersonating a Peace Officer. Magwood was placed in the Houston County Jail with no bond.
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Dothan Police Department will be closed Thursday December 12, 2024
(DOTHAN, Ala.) The Dothan Police Department’s physical police headquarters at 210 North Saint Andrews Street will be closed due maintenance on the building. We are attempting to avoid unnecessary delay and inconvenience during this time. As a result, the Records window, Front Desk Officer, and City Court will NOT be available that day. However, normal police patrol operations will continue without interruption. The Dothan Police Department will resume normal operations at 7:00 am Friday December 13, 2024. What does this mean?
If you need a report done for you regarding a crime or crash, you can call the Dothan Communications Center at 334-793-0215, and an officer will come to your location to make a report. If you need to pick up a report, you can do so on either Wednesday or Friday at the Dothan Police Department. For contact with the Dothan City Jail, please call 334-615-4630.
If you have a court related issue, you can visit the Dothan Magistrates Office at 115 West Adams Street or call them at 334-615-4150. If you have court scheduled for Thursday December 12, 2024, call the Dothan City Magistrate to reschedule.
As always, if there is an emergency and you need police assistance, call 911.
See Chief Benny’s full statement 20241209 Press Release.
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Dothan Man Arrested for Child Abuse After Striking Juvenile in Head with Pistol
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On November 23, 2024, Dothan Police investigators arrested Allen Terell Jackson (41) of Dothan at his residence after it was reported he struck a juvenile, under the age of 16, in the head with a pistol after finding her in her bedroom with another juvenile. It was reported Jackson was upset to find both juveniles in the bedroom together. Jackson struck the female juvenile, who is a family member, with his fists before retrieving two firearms, one of which was a pistol. Jackson struck the female juvenile with the pistol in the head several times. After the assault with the pistol, Jackson then forced both juvenile to exit the residence when police arrived. Jackson has been charged with one count of Willful Abuse of a Child. Jackson was placed in the Houston County Jail on $15,000 bond.
Shortly after 2:30 am on November 23, 2024, Dothan patrol officers were called to a residence in the 600 block of Westgate Parkway for an assault. When officers arrived, they came into contact with two juveniles. According to witnesses on scene, Jackson discovered a female juvenile and a male juvenile in the female juvenile’s bedroom. Jackson then attacked the female juvenile with closed fists. Jackson went and retrieved a pistol and a shotgun. Jackson struck the female juvenile in the head with the pistol that caused lacerations to her head. Both juveniles were ordered out of the residence by Jackson until police arrived.
While on scene with police, Jackson again attacked the female juvenile and pushed her in front of officers. Jackson was taken into custody. The female juvenile was checked by Dothan Fire Department medics and Pilchers Ambulance. After being interviewed by investigators, Jackson admitted to assaulting the female juvenile. Jackson has been charged with one count of Willful Abuse of a Child with a $15,000 bond. More charges are pending further investigation.
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Two Men Found Dead on South Park Now Listed as Murder-Suicide
(DOTHAN, Ala.) Investigators now believe the two men found dead on Friday died from a murder-suicide scenario. Patrol officers found 23-year-old Zatorrion O’Neil Facion dead from multiple gunshot wounds in his bed after a family member notified police. While clearing the residence, officers found 20-year-old Omarion Jackson in a different bedroom with a single gunshot wound to the head. Autopsy results and ballistic reports led police to believe Jackson killed Facion after an unknown altercation. Jackson then took his own life in a different bedroom. The two were brothers who lived together in the residence.
On Friday November 15, 2024 around 8:00 am, Dothan Police officers responded to a residence in the 1200 block of South Park Avenue when a family member discovered Facion deceased in his bedroom. When Officers arrived, they found Facion in his bed with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers were told Jackson usually sleeps in a back bedroom. When officers entered to make contact with Jackson, he was found on the floor deceased with a firearm on the ground near him.
Crime scene investigators worked the scene to collect evidence and found shell casings in the room where Facion was killed. In the room with Jackson, investigators found a 9 mm handgun on the floor near Jackson. According to evidence collected at the scene, Jackson fired multiple rounds at Facion, striking him several times. After shooting Facion, Jackson went to his bedroom and took his own life. Investigators continue to follow up on leads on what may have led to the shooting. Ballistics have preliminarily matched the shell casings in Facion’s room to the firearm found by Jackson. Autopsy results confirm Jackson took his own life.
If anyone has any information about Facion and Jackson, they are encouraged to call the Dothan Police Department at 334-793-0215 or they can submit tips to the Central Alabama Crimestoppers at 334-215-STOP or on their website at P3TIPS.com. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they mourn the loss of their loved ones.
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Two Men Arrested After Theft from Construction of New Animal Shelter
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On November 6, 2024, Dothan Police Investigators arrested William Allen Navarre (43) of Dothan and Bobby Gene Chandler (50) of Atlanta, GA for the theft and burglary of the new animal shelter under construction. The theft was discovered on November 4th when workers returned from the weekend to find items missing from the construction site. After an investigation, Navarre and Chandler were identified as suspects in the crime. Navarre was charged with one count of Theft of Property 1st degree and one count of Burglary 3rd degree with bonds totaling $10,000. Chandler was charged with Theft of Property 1st degree and Burglary 3rd degree with bonds totaling $20,000.
On November 4, 2024, Dothan Police Officers responded to the new animal shelter construction site on Hartford Highway when workers arrived at the site to continue construction and noticed items missing. Investigators used a variety of investigative techniques, including surveillance cameras, and identified suspects in the theft. Investigators were able to identify William Navarre and Bobby Chandler as suspects.
After the investigation, enough evidence was discovered to charge both suspects with the crime. All stolen property was recovered and returned to the owner.
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Arrest Made in Rip Hewes Shooting from October 18th Football Game
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On October 31, 2024, Dothan Police Investigators arrested Walter Cummings Jr. (36) of Dothan for one count of Assault 1st degree and one count of Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle. Cummings’ arrest comes as a result of an investigation into the shooting of a young juvenile, under the age of 12, at Rip Hewes Stadium on October 18, 2024. Cummings was placed in the Houston County Jail, and his bond has been set at $60,000.
On October 18, 2024, Dothan Police Officers working security for a high school football game at Rip Hewes Stadium were flagged down by a citizen who said a child had suffered a gunshot wound in a vehicle. The vehicle was in the parking lot and officers responded to render emergency aid. The juvenile had minor swelling on the head from being struck by the bullet. Police learned that shots were fired after an altercation occurred in the 400 block of Kornegay Street moments before the juvenile was struck with the bullet. Officers responded to the area and located shell casings in the roadway. During a search warrant of the residence on Kornegay Street, Officers found a firearm that was the same caliber ammunition found at the stadium.
Due to the angle of the bullet entering the vehicle from the roof and the extent of the injuries to the victim believed to be from a low velocity bullet, investigators believe it was likely fired in the air from Kornegay Street and landed where the victim was sitting. The rifle found on Kornegay Street and the projectile found at Rip Hewes Stadium were sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for ballistics testing. Today, Investigators were informed the bullet was a match and came from the rifle recovered on Kornegay Street. After an interview with Cummings, he admitted he was the person who fired the shots on Kornegay Street.
Firing a bullet into the air is a careless and dangerous act that is against the law. Offenders caught committing such an act will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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False Reporting leads to Swatting Charge
During the early morning hours of Saturday, October 26, 2024, the Dothan Police Department received a call reporting an edge weapon assault in the 400 block of East Powell Street. Officers were unable to locate a victim or the person reporting. It was determined this was a false report of an incident and all emergency personnel were cancelled. Using various investigative leads, officers were able to determine the identity of the caller. Just a few hours later, officers encountered the caller, and he was taken into custody and questioned. During questioning, he admitting to making the false report because he had gotten into a fight with an individual and as revenge, he wanted that person to be “harassed” as a potential victim of a stabbing.
The caller was identified as 53-year-old Keri Lashun Leake of Appletree Street, Dothan, AL. Leake was charged with one count of Felony Swatting. His bond was set at $2,500.00.
Shots Fired Leads to Arrest
On Saturday, October 26, 2024, at approximately 5:50 PM, we received a report of a gunshot victim arriving at Southeast Health by personal vehicle. The adult victim had a graze wound to the cheek, which he was treated for and released. The victim stated he was driving near a neighborhood in the 2600 block of Third Avenue when he felt the bullet graze his cheek. The victim’s vehicle was found to have multiple bullet holes in it.
Within minutes of this call, we received several calls for multiple shots fired in the 100 block of Wrinn Lane. Witnesses who observed the shooter, stated he was inside a residence armed with a weapon. During this same time, it was discovered a neighboring residence had been fired into and the occupants received minor superficial wounds.
Officers, assisted by family members, were able to successfully negotiate with the suspect to exit the residence and surrender. A search warrant was executed on the residence and the weapon used in the incident was recovered.
The suspect was identified as 18-year-old Darien Maurice Anglin of Dothan. It was determined the victim was in the area of Anglin’s residence when, for unknown reasons, Anglin began firing at the victim. As the victim retreated from the area, Anglin continued to fire at him until he was out of sight. In the process, Anglin shot into a neighbor’s house.
Anglin was charged with one count of Attempted Murder, one count of Assault First degree, one count of Discharging into an Occupied Dwelling, and two counts of Discharging into an Occupied Vehicle. His total bond was set at $180,000.00.
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