As the dust settles from yesterday’s election, I would like to thank everyone who voted. I have an even bigger thank you for all those who supported our Campaign and voted for my primary reelection. At ten o’clock last night, David Money did reach out with a phone call to congratulate me. I did not notice the call until the next morning because at the time of that call I was being interviewed by WTVY. I appreciate his call and ask all those who supported David to join us in this campaign to keep the Wiregrass surging forward. We will need all hands on deck in November. Everyone who knows me knows that I consider everyone my constituent. No matter how you voted, what neighborhood you live or your ethic background, I am here for you.
School Employee Arrested After Investigation Reveals Crimes Against a Student
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On May 6, 2026, the Dothan Police Department was notified by Houston County Department of Human Resources about reports of a school employee engaged in inappropriate activity with a student. An investigation was immediately started to assess the allegations. Investigators were told the employee had been placed on administrative leave by the school and no longer around children at the school.
Investigators learned a report was made to Dothan City Schools in February about there being inappropriate conduct on the part of the employee, identified as Johnny Mark Dunaway (55) of Midland City. The complaint was handled internally by Dothan City Schools. Another report was made on April 28, 2026, about Dunaway engaged in similar inappropriate conduct with a student. Again, Dothan City Schools began an internal investigation. Seven days later May 6th, Dothan City Schools notified Houston County Department of Human Resources about the complaint, which was then forwarded to the Dothan Police Department. Dothan Police Investigators conducted a methodical, thorough investigation in the coming days to resolve the case successfully.
Shortly after the investigation started, a forensic interview was conducted where allegations of sexual crimes were disclosed about Dunaway by the student. On May 13, 2026, a search warrant was conducted on Dunaway’s residence in Dale County for evidence related to the complaint. Several items were seized and are in the process of forensic examination. Concurrently, several court orders were sent for various social media and gaming platforms.
The level of trust given to school employees that encounter our children is not one to be taken lightly. When there is evidence that trust has been violated, the Dothan Police Department will not hesitate to take action to protect the children in our schools.
Dunaway has been arrested and charged with seven (7) counts of Enticing a Child for Immoral Purposes, one count of Sexual Abuse of a Child less than 12 years old, and one count of Interference with Custody. Dunaway was booked in the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond. Additional charges are possible, and the investigation remains ongoing. With knowledge of previous teaching positions held by Dunaway, information in our investigation will be shared with the appropriate jurisdictions.
The safety of our children is non-negotiable. The Dothan Police Department will devote every available resource to investigating crimes against children, and anyone who exploits a position of trust to victimize a child should expect our full commitment to pursuing justice.
DOTHAN: When accusations are presented to law enforcement they often times can not run out and make an arrest.
RSN received some information from people concerning this teacher and passed onto Dothan Police Department. The investigation was already underway. While Dothan Police did not inform me of the status of the investigation, I knew they were conducting a thorough and detailed investigation.
So RSN sit on breaking any story. Having been around law enforcement since 1977, RSN knows you never tip your hand. And that is what Dothan Police Department has been doing, never tipping their hand. And again, RSN does not know what all Dothan Police Department was doing, but knew the investigation was ongoing.
The person who called me, my words were, you can bet Dothan Police Chief Will Benny has an investigation underway and what is right will be done. And if officer do not do what is right you will see them flying out the front door with his foot up their …….
Because I watch what is happening and try to be alert, the Jerry Faine Elementary School teacher with accusations of sexual relations with a child, Johnny Dunaway, car has been towed and he is under arrest and about to be in the Dothan City Jail. After processing Dunaway will be transported to the Houston County Jail.
So all of the FACEBOOK rhetoric that Dothan Police was not doing something, they have to get the facts ready. And apparently they got ready today. It was early May when Dothan Police was alerted to this case and when I contacted the police department the investigation the investigation was already underway.
