Proudly serving Dothan, Alabama since 1904
On Saturday, 4/30/2022, the Dothan Police Department was notified of a sexual assault that had just occurred. The incident took place at a local motel here in Dothan. The victim and suspect were acquaintances but not involved in a relationship. After investigating the matter, probable case was established to charge 34 year old Jonathan David Golden of Dothan with Rape 1st, Sodomy 1st, and Sexual Abuse 1st. His bond was set at $85,000.00.
On 4/19/2022, the Dothan Police Department began an investigation after being made aware of inappropriate contact between an adult male and juveniles under the age of 16. The initial investigation led to 45 year old Jason Dean Burdeshaw, of Dothan, being charged with two counts of Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes. As this investigation has progressed, additional evidence has been discovered that has now led to 31 additional charges for sex crimes against Burdeshaw.
On 4/27/2022, Burdeshaw was charged with 2 counts of Sexual Abuse First Degree, 10 counts of Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree, 2 counts of Rape Second Degree, and 17 counts of Sodomy Second Degree. He has no bond for these charges. This is still an active investigation and as we wait for results of additional evidence, future charges are likely.
Due to the sensitive nature of this case and the juvenile privacy laws, no further information will be released.
On Tuesday, 4/26/2022, an unknown suspect broke into a residence in Cottonwood, AL. The same suspect is responsible for attempting to break into a business in Dothan, AL on the same day. The suspect was driving a white 4-door passenger car with an Alabama tag, which is shown in the video. We believe someone out there may recognize this individual or the vehicle from the video posted below. Please help identify this individual who is responsible for taking property that did not belong to him. If you recognize him or the vehicle, please call the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000, or you may call Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000.
On Saturday night, 4/23/2022, officers responded to a breaking and entering a vehicle call in the 100 block of South Foster Street. Alert officers spotted a suspicious person hiding in the wood line. As officers made contact with the person, they also discovered a large pile of miscellaneous property on the ground that had been covered up with a blanket. It was determined the items had come from multiple vehicles in the area. The person was identified as Ronald Devone Balcom. Balcom also had multiple stolen items on his person. Thankfully, all property was recovered and returned to the rightful owners.
As a result of the investigation, 58 year old Ronald Devone Balcom, of Dothan, was arrested and charged with four counts of Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle.
We would like to remind everyone to make sure your vehicles are kept locked at all times, either at home, or while visiting a place of business. Also, keep anything of value out of sight or covered up. These reminders are often given during the holiday season, but actually should be practiced year-round. Thieves prey upon easy opportunities. If your valuables are visible or even if your vehicle is left unlocked, it is perceived as an invitation to criminals.
UPDATE: Wesley Paul Hodge has been found safe. We would like to thank everyone who called and provided assistance and information. He is currently being reunited with his family.
On Saturday, 4/23/2022, 61 year old Wesley Paul Hodge walked away from his home on Parish Street in Dothan, AL. He has not been seen or heard from since then. When he left, he was wearing no shoes, no shirt and black shorts. He is described as 5’9″, 160 lbs., gray hair and blue eyes.
He does have medical issues and he does not have any medication with him. If you see him or have any information as to where he may be, you are asked to call the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000 or your nearest law enforcement agency.
On April 19, 2022, the Dothan Police Department charged John Cole Altman, 18 years old of Abbeville, AL, with Rape First Degree. His bond was set at $60,000.00. This charge is a result of an investigation into an incident that took place in Dothan on April 15, 2022. Due to the sensitive nature of this case and the juvenile privacy laws, no further information can be provided.
On April 19, 2022, the Dothan Police Department was made aware of possible inappropriate contact between an adult male and a juvenile under the age of 16. Due to the allegations, an investigation was started which has led to 45 year-old Jason Dean Burdeshaw, of Dothan, being charged with two counts of Enticing a Child to Enter a Vehicle, House, etc., for immoral purposes. He currently has no bond. This is an ongoing investigation and as it continues there could be additional charges.
Due to the sensitive nature of this case and the juvenile privacy laws, no further information will be released.
On Tuesday, 4/19/2022, a structure fire was reported in the 200 block of North Oates Street. This is the second time within a month this building has caught fire. The first fire occurred on 3/28/2022. The property is vacant and currently being remolded. At the time of the fire Tuesday, officers in the area arrived on scene quickly and located a suspicious person on the property covered in soot. Dothan Fire Department personnel arrived and extinguished the blaze. The individual detained was identified as 33 year-old Joe Edward Thomas. Thomas has had two previous encounters with police at this property and had been given a trespass warning on 01/26/2022, and then arrested for trespassing on 04/08/2022. Thomas provided his address as homeless.
The investigation into Tuesday’s fire revealed Thomas was in possession of copper that had been removed from an air-conditioning unit in the room where the fire was located and observed leaving the room at the time the fire started by a witness to the events. Thomas was arrested and charged with Arson Second Degree for Tuesday’s fire. His bond was set at $30,000.00. A specific motive for setting the fire is currently unknown.
On Sunday, April 17, 2022, the Dothan Police Department became aware of a threat against Dothan Preparatory Academy (DPA) by posts being made on social media. An immediate investigation was launched and the source of the threat was identified as coming from a social media account belonging to a juvenile student from DPA. Because of the disruption this has caused at DPA, the juvenile has been charged with terrorist threats. Due to the age of the suspect, no further information is available.
We take these types of threats serious, irregardless of the validity. We will investigate threats to the fullest to ensure the individual responsible is held accountable for their actions.
On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, just before noon, a 6-week-old child was taken from his temporary residence in the 400 block of South Appletree Street in Dothan, AL by his mother, Alexis Richards, and her male companion, Mauquez Banks. The child had been placed at this temporary address as part of a safety plan put into place several days earlier by the Department of Human Resources (DHR).
Alexis Richards was only allowed supervised visitation. Alexis Richards and Mauquez Banks went to the residence where the child had been placed unannounced, and unplanned, and took the child without the knowledge of the child’s current custodian. When the Dothan Police Department was notified of this incident, information was gathered and broadcast as soon as possible to include an Amber Alert. Shortly after the Amber Alert was broadcast, the child was located with Alexis Richards and another family member in Midland City, AL. The child was safe and had not been harmed in any way.
The Dothan Police Department would like to thank all the agencies who assisted in this investigation which includes: The FBI, Dale County Sheriff’s Department, Ozark Police Department, Troy Police Department, Midland City Police Department, ALEA, and the Alabama Fusion Center. All these entities working together resulted in the safe return of this child.
So far, Alexis Richards, 22 years-old of Dothan, has been charged with one count of Interference with Custody. The investigation is on going and charges could be possible for Mauquez Banks in the future.
You must be logged in to post a comment.