Press Releases – Page 6 – Dothan Police Department

January 3, 2024

Additional Charges in Child Sex Crime Case

On Tuesday, December 26, 2023, investigators with the Dothan Police Department began investigating a report of a child less than 12 being involved in sexual activity with an adult. It was discovered that 31-year-old Raynia Eugenia Cooper of Dothan had directed a child to participate in sexual activity which resulted in Cooper being charged with one count of Directing a Child to Engage in Sodomy.

This has been an ongoing investigation which has continued to produce evidence of additional child sex crimes. As a result, on December 29, 2023, investigators charged 30-year-old Edwin Angel Medina, of Dothan, with one count of Sodomy First Degree.

As additional evidence continued to come to light, on January 3, 2024, investigators added the following charges for Cooper: Two additional counts of Directing a Child to Engage in Sodomy, four counts of Directing a Child to Engage in Sexual Contact, one count of Human Trafficking First Degree, and one count of Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes. She currently has no bond.

Also on January 3, 2024, investigators added the following charges for Medina: Four counts of Sodomy First Degree, four counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child less than 12 years old, one count of Human Trafficking First Degree, and one count of Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes. He currently has no bond.

Due to the sensitive nature of this case, no further information will be released. This continues to be an ongoing investigation in which investigators are still processing evidence to determine if additional charges are possible.

January 3, 2024

Dothan Woman Charged with Sexual Abuse

The Dothan Police Department has been investigating a report of inappropriate sexual contact between an adult female and a child less than 12 years old. As a result of the investigation, on January 2, 2024, investigators charged 19-year-old Destiny Alexiss Huntington, of Dothan, with one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child less than 12 years old. Her bond was set at $30,000.00.

Due to the sensitive nature of this case, no further details will be released.

December 29, 2023

Dothan Man Charged with Robbery

On Sunday, December 24, 2023, 20-year-old Ty’darian Dy’shon Jackson of Dothan, entered CVS Pharmacy in the 1900 block of E. Main Street and attempted an electronic transaction with the business which was unsuccessful. After the unsuccessful transaction, Jackson, who was displaying a firearm tucked underneath his upper arm, demanded the employee give him money from the register. After being denied by the employee, Jackson exited the business without incident. Jackson’s identity was learned by investigators, and he was subsequently arrested on December 27, 2023, and charged with one count of Robbery First Degree. His bond was set at $60,000.00.

December 27, 2023

Dothan Woman Charged with Directing a Child to Engage in a Sex Act

On Tuesday, December 26, 2023, while investigating a report of a child less than 12 being involved in sexual activity with an adult, it was determined 31-year-old Raynia Eugenia Cooper of Dothan had directed a child to participate in sexual activity. Subsequently, Cooper was charged with one count of Directing a Child to Engage in Sodomy. She is currently being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond. This continues to be an active investigation. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, no further information will be released.

December 19, 2023

Dothan Man Arrested for Sex Crimes

In November 2023, it was reported to the Dothan Police Department that 33-year-old Joshua Kelly Jackson of Dothan had sexual contact with a juvenile under the age of 16. An investigation immediately began to determine the facts related to the incident. As a result, a search warrant was executed at Jackson’s residence in which several items were collected to be processed for possible evidence. Arrest warrants were issued for Jackson for one count of Rape Second degree and one count of Sexual Abuse Second degree. On December 19, 2023, Jackson turned himself in to the Dothan Police Department. He is currently being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

Due to the sensitive nature of this case, no further information will be released.

December 15, 2023December 15, 2023

Disgruntled Employee Attempts to Retaliate Against Co-Workers

On Thursday, December 14, 2023, Dothan Police Department responded to KFC on the south side of town in reference to a disorderly person armed with a weapon. Officers arrived and found the suspect in the parking lot wearing body armor, a ski mask covering his face, and in possession of a handgun. After giving the suspect multiple orders to drop the weapon, he did so and was taken into custody. He was then identified as 36-year-old Eric Stephen Brown Jr. of Dothan.

Brown, who was an employee of the business, became disgruntled during his shift and was told to leave the business. Brown left as requested, however, shortly returned and confronted several individuals in the parking lot, some of whom were employees. A quick-thinking employee recognized what was occurring in the parking lot and locked the business and had most everyone inside take cover by locking themselves in the back of the business. Others ran out the opposite side of the business and fled. During his rampage, Brown attempted to enter the business but was unsuccessful due to the doors being locked. Brown has been charged with one count of Terrorist Threat in the First Degree. He is being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

December 14, 2023

Amended Charges on Weekend Murder Suspect

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, at approximately 12:54 PM, the Dothan Police Department began investigating the death of a 17-year-old female who was found inside her residence and transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. The investigation led to 54-year-old Minh Thanh Nguyen of Dothan being charged with one count of Murder.

During the following days, the victim’s body was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery where an autopsy was conducted to gather forensic information to further assist in the investigation. During the autopsy it was determined the victim had been sexually assaulted. It was also discovered the victim had personal property that was missing from her bedroom. By means of a methodical process, investigators were able to track down the victim’s missing property.

In light of the new evidentiary information and after conferring with the Houston County District Attorney, on December 13, 2023, a motion was filed to dismiss the charge of Murder against Minh Thanh Nguyen. He was then charged with one count of Capital Murder-Rape and one count of Capital Murder-Burglary. He is still being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond. This continues to be an active investigation as investigators continue to gather and process crucial information related to this case.

December 12, 2023

Arrest Made on December 2022 Murder on Alexander Drive

On Thursday, December 15, 2022, at approximately 6:58 P.M., officers responded to the 1300 block of Alexander Drive to the report of a firearm assault. As a result, the victim, 21-year-old Alfonso Morrissette, of Dothan was pronounced deceased at the hospital shortly after arrival. As a result of this lengthy and ongoing investigation, on December 11, 2023, investigators obtained a warrant for Murder on Keith Shakur Helms for the death of Morrissette. Helms, who was in the Houston County Jail on unrelated charges, was booked on the Murder charge. His bond for the Murder was set at $1.5 Million.

December 10, 2023

Dothan Female Murdered

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, at approximately 12:54 PM, the Dothan Police Department received a call reporting suspicious circumstances on Sedona Lane. Officers arrived to find a female victim inside a residence who was unresponsive from what appeared to be the result of a physical altercation. Dothan Fire and Rescue administered medical aid to the female on scene before transporting her to a local hospital. Lifesaving efforts continued at the hospital before she succumbed to her injury. Her body will be sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for determination as to the cause and manner of death. The 17 year old female victim was currently residing in Dothan.

As a result of the investigation, 54 year old Minh Nguyen of Dothan, has been charged with one count of Murder and is being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

December 8, 2023

Murder Suspect Arrested in Enterprise

On 12/08/2023 Investigators gained information that 22 year old Chase Lee Easton was at a residence in Enterprise. Easton is wanted in connection with a murder that occurred in Dothan on 10/07/2023. Dothan PD and Enterprise PD worked together to obtain a location and secured a search warrant.

Dothan Police Department Special Response Team (SRT) along with Officers and Investigators from Dothan PD and Enterprise PD executed the search warrant in the 100 block of Price Street in Enterprise.

Easton was located hiding inside the residence and taken into custody. Easton was transported back to Dothan PD and was booked into the Dothan City Jail for Murder. He will be transferred to the Houston County Jail at a later time.

The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the Enterprise Police Department and the US Marshal’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force for their assistance.