Dothan Police Department

January 17, 2025

Dothan Police Seize Drugs, Guns, and Cash During 3-Day Operation

(DOTHAN, Ala.) This week, the Dothan Police Department VICE and Narcotics Division served 10 search warrants on various addresses as the culmination of several investigations into illegal activity in the City of Dothan. During the search warrant execution on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Investigators were able to recover 15 firearms, three vehicles, 4.5 pounds of marijuana, 15 grams of methamphetamine, 20 grams of crack cocaine, 3 grams of powder cocaine, 12 hydrocodone pills, three morphine pills, and $14,300 in illegal proceeds. Several individuals were taken into custody during this operation, and the investigation is still ongoing with more arrests possible.

On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Investigators served a search warrant at a residence in Dothan. During this search, investigators located eleven (11) firearms as well as 22 grams of marijuana.

On Thursday, January 16, 2025, Investigators served three search warrants at various addressed in Dothan. During those three searches, investigators seized three (3) firearms, 14 grams of methamphetamine, two pounds of marijuana, and $13,000 cash.

On Friday, January 17, 2025, investigators served six search warrants at various addresses in Dothan. During those searches, investigators seized 20 grams of crack cocaine, over four pounds of marijuana, 3 grams of powder cocaine, 12 hydrocodone pills, 3 morphine pills, 1 gram of methamphetamine, a shotgun, and $1,300 cash.

Through diligent and thorough investigations, investigators have assured these drugs will be off the streets, 15 guns are not being used to commit crimes, and $14,300 cash cannot be used to buy more guns and drugs. The Dothan Police Department is committed to making the City of Dothan as safe as possible through the enforcement of the laws of the State of Alabama. Due to the sensitive nature of the investigations, no further information can be released.

-Chief William E. Benny

January 17, 2025

Mugshots of the Day 01/16/2025

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Jimvonte Leonard Critten – Possession of Sawed Off Rifle/Shotgun

Donavan Sinclair Fields – Conspiracy to Commit a Controlled Substance Crime

Darren Earl Gordon – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Tampering with Physical Evidence

Jackie Deshannon Griffin – Obstructing Justice Using a False Identity

Octavius Anthaun Potter – Conspiracy to Commit a Controlled Substance Crime

Matthew John Walker – Disorderly Conduct

January 16, 2025

Mugshots of the Day 1/15/2025

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Katie Lynn Adams- Domestic Violence 3rd x2

Isaiah Allen – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Margie Sheree Davis – Domestic Violence 3rd

Nicole Rae Denius – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Sheniya Breanna Dillard – Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Devonte Lashon Foster – Domestic Violence 3rd

Joshua Jo Lopez – Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Don Rayburn – Obstructing Governmental Operations

Antonio Terrell Webster – Possession of Marijuana 2nd

January 15, 2025

Mugshots of the Day 01/14/2025

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Demetrius Mandrell Broom – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Anthony Hirshorn Harper – Attempting to Elude

Jaylen Urell Lockhart – Attempting to Elude

Keotta Mizell Reese – Attempt to Commit Murder, Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle

Kyson Register – Domestic Violence 3rd, Attempting to Elude, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Operations, Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Jackie Renae Snowden – Possession of Marijuana 2nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Jeffrey Allen Tew – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Jeffrey Lanor Watford – Criminal Trespassing 3rd

January 14, 2025

Mugshots of the Day 01/13/2025

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Jonathan William Jackson – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Shawn Patrick Morrell – Criminal Trespass 3rd

January 13, 2025

Mugshots of the Day 01/10/2025 thru 01/12/2025

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Ashley Renee Demarco – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

Anthoney Jerome Green – Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Haley Brown Grimes Ryals – Identity Theft X3/ Theft of Property 3rd

Richard Allen McCall – Fugitive from Justice

Ja’Brill Yvette McKinney – Chemical Endangerment/ Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Beverly Sampson – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Jeremy Jarquez Swain – Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Charles Edward Floyd – Domestic Violence 3rd

Alexander Wade Morris – Possession of Marijuana 2nd

Matthew Louis Register – Criminal Trespassing 3rd

Tyler Restan Sconiers – Possession of Marijuana 2nd , Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Eldridge Charles Bryant – Possession of Marijuana 1st, Tampering with Physical Evidence

Tyreece Dajaun Henderson – Retail Theft 3rd, Obstructing Justice using False Identity

Irean Denise Holcomb – Criminal Trespassing 3rd

Tiandria Laniece Jackson – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Britnee Nicole Kilgo – Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance

Aneka Cloresse Knight – Domestic Violence 3rd

Wendell Thomas Lane – Theft of Property 2nd

Jessica Jewell Noblitt – Possession of Marijuana 2nd

January 9, 2025

Suspect Arrested in Death of Dr. Gaddis

On January 9, 2025, Dothan Police Investigators identified and arrested George Shelby Rice (57) of Dothan in connection with the death of Dr. Gaddis. Rice, identified through video surveillance and witness statements, was driving his vehicle northbound on Honeysuckle Road. Dr. Gaddis, who was in the roadway retrieving property that had fallen from his vehicle, was struck by Rice’s vehicle which was seen on surveillance camera just before and after Dr. Gaddis was struck. Officers, after identifying Rice as a potential suspect, went to Rice’s residence where his vehicle was found at the residence with damage consistent with striking a pedestrian. The vehicle is being forensically examined for physical evidence that will be sent for analysis.

Evidence suggests that Rice was aware that he had struck a person in the roadway and had consumed alcohol that evening. Rice’s reckless conduct is the direct cause of the death of Dr. Gaddis. Rice has been charged with one count of Murder and one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injuries or Death. Rice was placed in the Houston County Jail with no bond. Rice was on bond for a previous crash in which he left the scene after hitting two pedestrians on Murphy Mill Road in August 2024. The Houston County District Attorney’s Office has filed a revocation for that bond.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Dr. Gaddis’ friends and family during this time. Hopefully this arrest will help them begin to heal from this terrible tragedy.

-William E. Benny, Chief of Police

George Shelby Rice (57) of Dothan- Murder and Felony Leaving the Scene of an Accident, No bond

January 8, 2025

Dothan Man Dies After Being Struck By Vehicle on Honeysuckle Road

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On January 7, 2025 just after 6:00 pm, a Dothan Police Officer was notified by a citizen that a person was hit by a vehicle in the 800 block of Honeysuckle Road. The officer arrived on scene and life-saving measures were already being performed by someone passing by that stopped to help. After a short period of time, the Dothan Fire Department arrived on scene and pronounced the victim dead. The victim was identified as Marcus Damon Gaddis (79) of Dothan.

The preliminary investigation showed that Gaddis stopped in the 800 block of Honeysuckle for unknown reasons. After Gaddis stopped, he got out of his vehicle and dropped papers he was carrying. Some of the papers scattered in the roadway, and Gaddis was trying to collect them. Gaddis was struck by the vehicle as he bent down to pick up papers in the roadway. The vehicle that struck Gaddis was not on the scene when police arrived. Law enforcement is actively searching for this vehicle and driver in order to complete their investigation. The suspect vehicle was described by witnesses as a dark colored Chevrolet SUV, which may have been a Tahoe.

If anyone has any information on the vehicle or driver of the dark Chevrolet SUV, they are asked to contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3632. Citizens can also submit tips anonymously through Central Alabama Crimestoppers at 334-215-STOP or at P3TIPS.com. Central Alabama Crimestoppers offers rewards on tips that lead to the arrest in serious cases. Vehicle body repair shops should be alert to vehicles matching this description that may come in for repairs and call the Dothan Police Department.

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with Gaddis’ family and friends during their time of loss.

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December 19, 2024

Statement from Chief Will Benny

This is a statement from Chief Will Benny:

Chief Benny Release

December 10, 2024

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.

Steven Phillip Valentine (64) of Dothan- Leaving the Scene of an Accident, $15,000 bond.

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