Dothan Police Department

January 18, 2024

Two Charged with Assault at a Local Business

On January 16, 2024, Ty’Darian Jackson entered a business in the 2300 block of Murphy Mill Road and approached the employee, pulled an empty glass bottle from his pocket, and assaulted the employee with it. Jackson was accompanied by another suspect, Detavian Durr. One of the suspects commented about using a firearm on the victim. The victim and one of the suspects then exchanged gunfire and during the process an unoccupied vehicle in the business parking lot was struck. This was an isolated incident related to an ongoing disagreement between all individuals involved.

Ty’Darian Dy’Shon Jackson, 20 years old of Dothan, was charged with one count of Shooting into an Unoccupied Vehicle and one count of Attempted Assault First Degree. He is currently being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

Also wanted for this incident is 20-year-old Detavian Tyqwan Durr of Dothan. He is wanted on one count of Assault Second Degree. Anyone with information of his whereabouts is asked to call the Dothan Police Department at 615-3000.

January 15, 2024

Dothan Man Charged with Attempted Murder

On Saturday, January 13, 2024, officers responded to the 600 block of Westmead Street in reference to gunshots being fired in the area. Before officers arrived, it was reported one person had been shot in the abdomen and lower arm and was being transported to the hospital by a personal vehicle. The victim was taken to surgery for his abdomen injury and is expected to make a full recovery. The investigation revealed Matavis Rashad Poke was the person who fired multiple shots at the victim, striking him at least once. It is unknown what the motive was that led to shots being fired.

Matavis Rashad Poke, 30 years old of Dothan, was charged with one count of Attempted Murder and is being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.

January 4, 2024

Ohio Murder Suspect Arrested in Dothan

On Thursday morning, January 4, 2024, members of the Dothan Police Department, Houston County Sheriff’s Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agancy, and the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force conducted an operation which resulted in the apprehension of a fugitive wanted for murder in Ohio. Officers apprehended 38-year-old Clarence Abdul Ellis at a residence on Honeysuckle Road in Dothan. Ellis had an outstanding arrest warrant for murder in Columbus, Ohio. He is being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond until he is extradited to Ohio.

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.