Dothan Police Department

December 9, 2020April 12, 2023

Man Charged with Multiple Counts of Child Pornography

On June 25, 2020, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent a tip to the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force about an individual possessing and disseminating child pornography in the City of Dothan. The Special Investigations Unit of the Dothan Police Department, who has investigators on the Alabama ICAC Task Force, began its investigation into the criminal action. After more than five months of investigation that included numerous subpoenas and search warrants, Dothan Police Investigators executed a search warrant on the suspect’s residence in the 1400 block of Eastwood Drive on December 7, 2020.

The suspect in this case, Jeremy Downes, was taken into custody. Investigators seized electronic equipment in Downes’ home as part of the search warrant for forensic analysis. As a result of the forensic analysis of Downes’ electronic devices found in his home, Downes has been charged with additional criminal charges. The forensic analysis is continuing and more charges may be forthcoming.

The Dothan Police Department would like to thank the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their assistance and partnership in this case.

Jeremy Wayne Downes (44) of Dothan has been charged with 28 counts of Dissemination/Display of Child Pornography, 14 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and 14 counts of Possession with Intent to Disseminate Child Pornography. Johnson is being held on bonds totaling $1.47 million.

November 30, 2020January 6, 2021

Weekend Traffic Fatality

On November 27^th at 9:13 pm, officers were dispatched to a Pedestrian Struck call in the 3300 block of Montgomery Highway. The vehicle involved was a Ford F-150, traveling South bound on Montgomery Highway. The vehicle left the scene and was located a short while later.

The victim, Patrick Shaffer, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the truck was identified as Rashaun Richardson, of Fort Gains, Ga. The driver was charged with two felonies and transported to the Houston County Jail.

The crash is being investigated by the Dothan Police Department Traffic Division.

The Dothan Police Department would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Shaffer Family.

November 23, 2020

Traffic Fatality on South Oates

On November 22^nd, Dothan Police were dispatched to a vehicle accident in the 3900 block of South Oates Street. A vehicle travelling North on South Oates Street attempted to make a left hand turn onto Alabaster Drive. This vehicle pulled into the path of a vehicle that was southbound on South Oates Street. The driver of the northbound vehicle has been identified as 32 year old Brittany Seaton of Alford, Fl. She was rushed to Southeast Health but passed away from her injuries.

The crash is being investigated by the Dothan Police Department Crash Team.

The Dothan Police Department would like to express our deepest sympathies to the Seaton family.

November 12, 2020January 6, 2021

Man Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

On June 10, 2020, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children sent a tip to the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force about an individual possessing and disseminating child pornography in the City of Dothan. The Special Investigations Unit of the Dothan Police Department, who has investigators on the Alabama ICAC Task Force, began its investigation into the criminal action. After almost five months of investigation that included numerous subpoenas and search warrants, Dothan Police Investigators executed a search warrant on the suspect’s residence in the 1500 block of E. Main Street on November 5, 2020.

The suspect in this case, Christopher Johnson, was taken into custody. Investigators seized electronic equipment in Johnson’s home as part of the search warrant for forensic analysis. As a result of the forensic analysis of Johnson’s electronic devices found in his home, Johnson has been charged with additional criminal charges. The forensic analysis is continuing and more charges may be forthcoming.

Christopher Dwayne Johnson (39) of Dothan has been charged with 50 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and 10 counts of Possession with Intent to Disseminate Child Pornography. Johnson is being held without bond.

October 29, 2020October 30, 2020

Former Daycare Worker Arrested for Abusing Children

On October 28, 2020, the Dothan Police Department was made aware of allegations of child abuse by a former daycare worker at a local daycare. The Special Investigations Unit began an investigation into the allegations. The results of the investigation revealed the employee, Candeline Hyde, became frustrated with children in her class when they would not follow her instructions. As a result of her frustration, Hyde caused injuries to at least six children, some of which were special needs children, using what is commonly referred to as “pressure points” on the neck and shoulder area.

The daycare facility began to look into the allegations when several parents noticed unexplained bruising and injuries to the children. Once the daycare facility were made aware of the allegations, they terminated Hyde from her position and notified authorities. The alleged abuse occurred between August 2020 and October 2020. More charges are possible.

Candelin Patrice Hyde (36) of Dothan was charged with six counts of Aggravated Child Abuse of a Child less than Six Years Old. Hyde’s bonds total $360,000.

October 28, 2020April 12, 2023

Mother Charged with Aggravated Child Abuse

On October 23, 2020, a Dothan Police School Resource Officer was notified by a local school faculty member that a 5 year old was having a medical issue that was potentially caused by an individual. The juvenile was taken to a local hospital for treatment for a serious physical injury. The Dothan Police Department Special Investigations Unit was notified of the case and began their investigation.

After multiple interviews and reviewing medical records for the juvenile, it is believed that on the morning of October 23 the suspect, Chiquita Hunter, was disciplining the juvenile and began to kick the juvenile in the upper torso. By kicking the juvenile, Hunter caused serious injuries to the juvenile. On October 27, 2020 after interviewing Hunter, she was arrested in connection with this case.

Chiquita Nicole Hunter (25) of Dothan was charged with Aggravated Child Abuse with a bond of $60,000.

October 27, 2020October 27, 2020

Traffic Accident Arrest Made

On October 1, 2020, Dothan Police Department Traffic Investigators responded to a motor vehicle crash that occurred on Parramore Rd. The crash, which involved two vehicles, resulted in the death of Kayla Metcalf, severe injuries to three juveniles in her vehicle and severe injuries to the passenger in the other vehicle.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined the driver of the at-fault vehicle, Ty’Kerria Ni’Chelle Duncan, was operating the vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance.

Duncan has been charged with Murder, three counts of Assault 1st degree, one count of Assault 3rd degree and placed in Dale County Jail with no bond at this time.

October 19, 2020October 19, 2020

Man Charged for Stealing Mowers from Local Business

On October 17, 2020, Dothan Police Investigators made an arrest in a recent theft from Rural King in Dothan. It was discovered after the investigation that between October 10 and October 16, 2020 the suspect, Andrew Borener, went to Rural King after business hours. While at the business, Borener stole a Husqvarna zero turn lawn mower and a Bad Boy brand zero turn lawn mower on two different occasions. Borener was identified after also filling out a job application with the business for employment. More charges may be forthcoming.

Andrew Lucas Borener (28) of Dothan has been charged with two counts of Theft of Property 1st degree with bonds totaling $60,000.

Andrew Borener- Two counts of Theft of Property 1st Degree

September 21, 2020September 21, 2020

Results of Operation “Clean Sweep”

Over the last several months, the Dothan Police Department had responded to numerous shots fired calls, individuals who were shot, and homicides. The problem with gun violence in certain areas of the City of Dothan was so bad it demanded action.

Between September 17 through September 19, the Dothan Police Department tasked a special group of officers and investigators as well as Federal and State partners with a focused, sectored patrol in order to combat the use of guns to commit acts of violence. For three days, the officers focused their attention on areas that, by the crime data, were high crime areas for gun violence. The US Marshal’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force went to apprehend violent offenders who had not been caught for crimes involving gun violence to include one subject arrested for Capital Murder.

In three days of sectored patrol, Officers with the detail arrested 73 individuals for 103 different crimes. These crimes ranged from Possession of Marijuana to Capital Murder. Along with individuals arrested, officers seized 31 guns.

September 19, 2020September 21, 2020

Second Man Charged with Capital Murder

After the arrest of an accomplice, Investigators received information on the location of the second suspect in a shooting that resulted in the death of a Dothan woman on September 6, 2020 on South Lena Street. The suspect, Dontavian McCree (24) of Dothan, was located at a residence in Ashford, AL by Dothan Police Investigators and members of the US Marshal’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. McCree was taken into custody without incident.

As a result of the investigation, McCree was charged with Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling, Attempted Murder, and Capital Murder. McCree is being held without bond. The Dothan Police Department wants to thank the US Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force for their assistance. Also, thank you to the many community members who provided tips on this case.