Category: Press Releases

On March 21^st and 22^nd, 2024, the Dothan Police Department, in coordination with Covenant Rescue Group, conducted a cyber operation at an undisclosed location in Dothan.  Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division and Covenant Rescue Group had online chats with people looking for illicit sexual activities.    Covenant Rescue Group (CRG) is an organization that supports law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of child exploitation/human trafficking cases at both the state and federal levels.

During the operation, several conversations took place, which led to suspects attempting to meet the underage juveniles for the purpose of unlawful sexual contact.  Eleven individuals agreed to meet.  This led to the arrest of 11 men on 37 felony charges and 2 misdemeanor charges.  The suspects were taken into custody upon their arrival.  Among the charges was Human Trafficking 1^st degree, Electronic Solicitation of a Child, and Traveling to Meet a Child for an Unlawful Sex Act.

The Dothan Police Department would like to thank Covenant Rescue Group, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Marshal’s Service, and the Houston/Henry County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this operation.  More charges are pending based on the operation.  Those arrested are:

On March 18, 2024, Dothan Police Officers responded to a residence in the 2000 block of Aberdeen Drive to a pedestrian struck with a vehicle. When officers arrived and began to investigate, it was determined the suspect, Nakeima Thomas (25) of Dothan, and the victim had a previous disagreement over a relationship with a male acquaintance. Thomas, on the day of the incident, drove to the victim’s residence to continue the altercation.

When the victim came outside the residence, Thomas accelerated her vehicle and struck the victim causing the victim to be knocked into some bushes. As she was in her vehicle, Thomas got her vehicle stuck in the mud.  After Thomas’ vehicle would not drive, Thomas got out of her vehicle, entered the victim’s vehicle, stole the keys, and threw them in an unknown location. Thomas then began to strike the victim’s vehicle with a piece of wood, which caused substantial damage to the victim’s vehicle.  Thomas was charged with Attempted Assault 1st degree and Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle.  The victim was checked at the scene by Dothan Fire Medics and had no serious injuries.

On February 17, 2024, Dothan Police Officers were called to a local hospital in reference to a sexual assault.  The victim had arrived at the hospital to receive treatment and have evidence collected of a sexual assault that took place in the 2500 block of Choctaw Street at a residence.  After giving multiple statements about the crime, investigators believed a crime had taken place based on what the alleged victim and witness reported.

A thorough investigation was started in order to gather evidence in the event of a prosecution.  However, it was found that the statements given by the alleged victim, Erika Holloway (19), and the witness, Chasity Scrimpsher (26), had several inconsistencies and outright false statements.  Holloway and Scrimpsher were confronted with the evidence their statements were false.  After being confronted, both admitted they knowingly gave false statements to investigators.

Both subjects were arrested and charged with one count of False Reporting to Law Enforcement each.  The person accused by these two suspects was exonerated of any and all charges related to this case.

In December 2023, Dothan Investigators were notified that a victim disclosed to a mandatory reporter that the suspect, Thomas Thiel Jr., had inappropriate sexual contact with the victim.  The mandatory reporter notified Dothan Police and started an investigation.  As a result of the investigation, investigators gathered enough information to charge Thiel with one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child Less than 12 Years Old.  The offense occurred between August 2019 and August 2020.  Thiel was arrested in the early morning hours of March 6, 2024, since he was a registered sex offender in Dothan.  Thiel’s bond has been set at $30,000, and he was placed in the Houston County Jail.

Due to the age of the victim and privacy laws, no further information will be released.

On December 30, 2001, Sharon Mills, then 49 years old, went missing in Dothan.  Sharon was officially reported missing by her husband, Dwight Mills.  A month after she was reported missing, Sharon’s body was found across the Florida State line in Holmes County.  Dothan Investigators were notified and continued their investigation into her death.  When all leads had been exhausted in the case, the investigation stalled.

In a periodic review of the old case file, new information on the case was uncovered, which led investigators to reinvestigate all aspects of the case.  With fresh eyes, current investigators worked new and old leads, tips, and processed several pieces of evidence to solve the case.  As a result, investigators developed enough information to obtain a warrant of arrest for Dwight Mills in connection with the murder of Sharon Mills.

On February 26, 2024, Investigators from the Dothan Police Department and members of the United States Marshal Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Dwight Morgan Mills (69) of Dothan for Murder and Abuse of a Corpse in the death of Sharon Mills.

The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the United States Marshal’s Service for their assistance in the investigation and arrest.

What are commonly referred to as “cold cases” are always on the minds of police investigators.  No murder case is ever “closed”, and the Dothan Police Department will always proceed forward in the prosecution of a case, no matter how much time has passed.  Investigators have recently reviewed other “cold cases” and are actively working on them.  We will do everything we can to bring closure to families and perpetrators to justice.  If you have information on a case, we encourage you to bring that to our attention.

On February 8, 2024, the Dothan Police Department received reports of a minor under the age of 18 who was observed with injuries to the face and legs.  As a result of the investigation, the Special Investigations Unit charged Kasheca Carter (40) of Dothan with one count of Willful Child Abuse.  Carter was determined to be the responsible party of the minor.  Carter was transported to the Houston County Jail with a bond of $15,000.

Due to the age of the victim and privacy laws, we are unable to comment further on the investigation.