Dothan Police Department

March 31, 2022

Theft, False Name, and Stolen Car

On March 30, 2022, officers responded to Somerset Street in Dothan for a theft of property complaint. The victim reported multiple items had been taken and provided officers with the suspect’s name, description, and vehicle description. Later, patrol officers located the suspect and the vehicle. It was discovered the suspect had provided a false name to officers in order to avoid outstanding criminal charges in two other states. The stolen items were located in the vehicle being operated by the suspect. Then, it was determined the vehicle the suspect was operating was stolen.

Stephen Wesley Bryant, 46 years old, of Dothan, was charged with Theft of Property Third Degree, Obstructing Justice Using a False Identity, and Receiving Stolen Property First Degree. His bond is $60,000.00.

Stephen Wesley Bryant –
Theft of Property-3rd Degree X1, Obstructing Justice Using False Identity X1 and Receiving Stolen Property-1st Degree X1

March 31, 2022March 31, 2022

Webb Man Charged With Multiple Counts Of Identity Theft

On March 30, 2022, Jonathan Tyler Grantham, 28 years-old of Webb, AL was charged with several counts of identity theft. Grantham obtained the victim’s personal and banking information then proceeded to make several online purchases as well as made payments on some of his personal accounts. At this point in the investigation, it is not clear how Grantham obtained the victim’s information, but it is believed that he did not act alone. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests may be possible.

Currently, Grantham has been charged with 15 counts of Identity Theft. His bond is $225,000.00.

Jonathan Tyler Grantham – 15 Counts of Identity Theft

March 30, 2022March 30, 2022

Man Receives Additional Charges for Dissemination of Child Pornography

On February 14, 2022, 20 year-old Adham Khaled Bakr, of Dothan was charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography. Those charges were the result of a tip sent from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Investigators with the Dothan Police Department, who are members of the ICAC Task Force, began an investigation that led to these charges.

On March 29, 2022, as part of the ongoing investigation, additional evidence led to Bakr being charged with five counts of dissemination of child pornography. For these five charges, his bond has been set at $150,000.00.

March 29, 2022March 29, 2022

Dothan Police Searching for Gas Station Robber

On March 28, 2022, at approximately 7:30 PM, a lone suspect entered the Chevron Gas Station in the 100 block of East Cottonwood Road, armed with a handgun, and demanded money from the clerk. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6′ 0″ tall, weighing approximately 245 pounds, wearing a long sleeve black shirt, blue jean shorts, a red toboggan, a medical mask, and gloves.

Once inside the business, the suspect pointed the handgun at the clerk and demanded the clerk put all the money in a plastic bag. The suspect left the business with an undisclosed amount of cash and was last seen running to the rear of the business where he possibly entered an unknown type of vehicle to make his getaway.

The Dothan Police Department is asking that anyone with information that will lead to the identity and or capture of the person(s) responsible for this crime contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000 or you can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000. The Dothan Police Department will protect the identities of anyone who provides information.

March 29, 2022

Man Charged With Setting Fires in Downtown Dothan

On March 28, 2022, the Dothan Fire Department and Police Department responded to an active structure fire in the 100 block of South Oates Street. Due to the confined streets of the downtown area and the equipment used to battle the blaze, a small portion of South Oates Street had to be shut down.

Within minutes of this fire, a second active structure fire was discovered in the 200 block of North Oates Street, which was a two-story motel. This too led to the street being shut down, which then caused a large portion of North and South Oates Street to be blocked off. Because the two active fires were within minutes, and within blocks of each other, suspicion was quickly raised. A criminal arson investigator from the Police Department began working alongside the Dothan Fire Marshall and they were able to determine both fires were a result of arson.

Both structures received extensive damage from the fires, however, no one was injured in either fire. Upon officers’ arrival at the second fire, they observed a person of interest coming from the area of the fire. That individual was detained as part of the active investigation. Subsequently, the investigations led to the arrest of 38 year-old Jeffrey Watford, of Dothan, who was charged with two counts of arson second-degree. His bond has been set at $60,000.00. A motive in these cases has not been determined at this time.

Jeffrey Watford – Two Counts of Arson Second Degree

March 28, 2022March 28, 2022

Woman Allegedly Rams Car on Roadway

On March 26, 2022, Candance Ann Smith engaged in a road rage incident that began near Blakely, GA. Smith attempted multiple times to stop the victim, with whom she had been in a relationship with, and his vehicle between Blakely, GA, and Dothan.

Once in the 1400 block of Ross Clark Circle in Dothan, Smith’s vehicle and the victim’s vehicle collided while traveling on the roadway. As a result, the victim’s vehicle lost control and left the roadway, receiving moderate damage. Neither of the two adult occupants in the victim’s vehicle was injured.

Candace Anne Smith – Attempted Assault 1st X2

March 28, 2022

Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Debit Cards

On March 28, 2022, a patrol officer conducted a traffic stop in the 800 block of South Alice Street for a traffic violation. During the course of the stop, a probable cause search was conducted. The driver and only occupant of the vehicle, Billy Jo Brown, was found to be in possession of multiple debit cards that did not belong to him. The names on the cards were someone he had no association with. It was determined Brown did not have permission nor a plausible reason as to why he was in possession of them.

Billy Jo Brown, of Dothan, AL was charged with four counts of Illegal Possession of a Debit Card. His bond was set at $40,000.00. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be forthcoming.

Billy Jo Brown – Four Counts of Illegal Possession of Debit Card

March 22, 2022March 22, 2022

Dothan fire medic arrested for theft of narcotics

The Dothan Police Department was notified by the Dothan Fire Department after a routine inventory that there was a missing amount of narcotics from a narcotics storage facility operated by the Fire Department. An investigation was started and the DEA was notified since the missing narcotic was identified as forty-two (42) one dose vials of Fentanyl, a Schedule II/IIN Controlled Substance. Substances in this schedule have a high potential for abuse which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine.

Today that investigation has ended with the arrest of Jesse R. Taylor of Rehobeth. Taylor was a Dothan Fire Medic at the time of the theft and is responsible for the theft of the medication. Taylor has been on administrative leave since Wednesday, March 16, 2022. He is charged with Trafficking in Fentanyl and Theft of Property 2nd degree. Taylor has been booked into the Dothan City jail with bonds totaling $30,000. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and US Attorney’s Office have been notified and additional charges are possible.

Taylor has been served a notice of termination and the City will follow Dothan Personnel Rules and Regulations concerning his due process.

It is disturbing to all when a member of the public safety community violates the trust placed on them by the citizens they serve. The Dothan Fire Department and Chief Larry Williams have been transparent and assisted in the investigation in every way possible. By the nature of Taylor’s position in the Fire Department, he was able to access the storage location and remove the medication without suspicion until the inventory revealed the discrepancy. There are no other suspects in this case.

Since this case can be adopted into the Federal system, no other information can be released at this time. Any further questions should be directed to the DEA or the US Attorney’s Office in Montgomery.

William E. Benny
Chief of Police

March 22, 2022

CALEA Accreditation Call-In Session

If you have questions or concerns regarding the Dothan Police Department’s CALEA Accreditation and were unable to attend the public hearing zoom session on March 21, 2022 and would still like to speak to a CALEA assessor, there is a call-in session scheduled for March 22, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes in an effort to accommodate all concerns and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA Standards. The phone number to reach CALEA assessor will be 334-615-3999. This phone number will only be active and monitored during the times listed above. If you still need a copy of the CALEA Standards, you can obtain a copy at the Dothan Police Department lobby located at 210 N. St. Andrews St. Dothan, AL 36303 through March 22, 2022.

William E. Benny
Chief of Police

March 21, 2022

Wife Charged with Shooting into Husbands Residence

On Saturday, March 19, 2022, Lue Ellen went to the 1100 Block of Williams Avenue and attempted to confront her estranged husband who she has been separated from for several months. When she was denied access to the residence, she began firing a handgun thru the door. When shots were fired, the estranged husband and several guests began running to get away from Lue Ellen. Lue Ellen then entered the residence and chased after the estranged husband before running out another door of the residence. Fearing for the safety of others, the estranged husband tackled Lue Ellen and held her until police arrived and placed her in custody.

As a result of this incident, Lue Ellen March, 60 years of age, was arrested and charged with one count of Discharging Firearm into an Occupied Dwelling, and one count of Domestic Violence First Degree. Her bond was set at $90,000.00.