Don’t miss Dothan’s Best Halloween Party. Last year’s Mayhem Halloween Party was the best and it’s going to be even bigger and better this year. Set your calendars, you don’t want to miss.
Dothan Man Arrested for Possessing and Sharing Child Sexual Abuse Material
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On June 15, 2026, the Dothan Police Department, through their membership in the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children of images depicting child sexual abuse material were shared on the social chatting website Discord. Investigators received identifying information for the computer sharing the images and began sending search warrants out for multiple online platforms and applications.
As a result of the search warrants, the person was identified as Phillip Tyler Stanley (37) of Dothan. The investigation revealed that, on several occasions, Stanley used a Discord chat to talk to other individuals about child sexual abuse materials. On different chats, Stanley sent images of children that appear between the ages of 10 years old and 15 years old to different users. Stanley told others in those chats that he was interested in females under the age of 10.
The investigation resulted in Stanley’s arrest at his residence on Whatley Drive on September 4, 2026. A search for the username associated with the Discord chat revealed child sexual abuse materials were shared and possessed at hotels, places of employment, and the residence associated with Stanley. Stanley was charged with 12 counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material and three counts of Dissemination of Child Sexual Abuse Material. Stanley was booked into the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond.
This investigation remains ongoing. Dothan Police investigators continue to follow leads involving additional online accounts and application platforms and are examining electronic devices and other digital evidence collected during the execution of the search warrant. The Dothan Police Department remains vigilant in the protection of not only our young children, but people of all ages when it comes to exploitation. We encourage anyone with information regarding this investigation or similar criminal activity to contact the Dothan Police Department or provide information through Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous. Additional charges are possible.
DOTHAN: Earlier on Tuesday Dothan’s TOP COP, Dothan Police Chief Will Benny, was traveling down South Saint Andrews at Carroll Street. UNCONFIRMED, but sources report that a vehicle almost broadsided Chief Benny. A Dothan Police Patrolman was attempting to apprehend the fleeing vehicle.
Chief Benny joined the chase which did not last long. As the fleeing vehicle came to a stop the doors slung open and the suspect bailed on foot. Well, so did Dothan Police Chief Will Benny. The Chief literally ran the fleeing suspect on foot as the other officer also bailed.Chief Benny was faster, caught the suspect and literally tackled him as they were running, taking the suspect to the ground.
Without incident, other than a quick tackle from the TOP COP, no injuries and the fleeing suspect was taken into custody.
Not only does Chief Benny perform administrative duties within the department, he is not above getting his hands dirty and being a law enforcement officer in the apprehension of suspect(s). And he can run pretty good!!!
Will Benny has 31 years of law enforcement experiences, beginning as a Jailer, to patrol and through the ranks within Dothan Police Department. Chief WIll Benny has been Dothan’s Top Cop for about 6 six years. He has worked to improve training, bringing a police academy to Dothan, and tehcnology to combat crime. Chief Benny is a no non sense Chief who strives daily to provide the men and women within the department the tools to do their job. Chief Benny is blunt and to the point, and works daily to protect the citizens and guests of Dothan, and the men and women of Dothan Police Department that serve along with him in the department.
And when you see Will Benny on the street, you better straighten up!!!
As a principal, there are many things that happen during a school day that you prepare for. There are procedures, plans, drills, and protocols for almost every situation imaginable.
But nothing prepares you for watching two of your School Resource Officers help save the life of a seven-month-old baby.
This afternoon, a grandmother was driving with her seven-month-old grandchild when the infant began choking on a piece of food. She called 911 and told dispatch that she was about to pull into Dothan High School looking for help.
And by the grace of God, she pulled into a place where the right people were waiting. Corporal Trent Adams and Corporal Daniel Volkman of the Dothan Police Department, our School Resource Officers at Dothan High School, responded immediately. All we heard on the school radio was “seven month old choking, front of the school, EMS is en route, and I’m starting CPR.”
There was no hesitation. They went straight to that baby and began life-saving measures, including CPR. Working quickly and calmly, they were able to dislodge the food from the infant’s airway just prior to Dothan Fire Rescue and EMS arriving. Their actions very likely saved that baby’s life.
And there is another part of today’s story that I believe is worth sharing.
I am sure there were people who drove past Dothan High School this afternoon, saw police vehicles, Fire Rescue, and EMS on our campus and immediately thought, “What now?” I understand that reaction. But today is also a powerful reminder that surface-level information can easily become misinformation when we don’t know the whole story.
What someone saw from the road may have looked like another problem at a high school. What was actually happening behind those emergency vehicles was something entirely different: two police officers were helping possibly save the life of a seven-month-old child.
There is almost always more to a story than what can be seen through a windshield, heard secondhand, or gathered from a social media post. Today is a good reminder for all of us to seek the full story before forming a conclusion or passing one along.
We live in a time when we often hear about what is wrong. We hear the complaints. We hear when someone is unhappy with law enforcement or upset with the service they received. Those stories sometimes seem to travel much farther and faster than the stories about the men and women who quietly show up every single day and do their jobs with courage, compassion, and professionalism.
Today, I had the privilege of witnessing the other story. I watched two men who normally walk our hallways, talk with our students, support our teachers, attend our ballgames, and help keep our campus safe suddenly find themselves facing a life-or-death situation involving a seven-month-old child.
And when seconds mattered, they answered the call. I cannot imagine the fear that grandmother felt as she pulled onto our campus. But I also cannot help but think about how fortunate she was that Corporal Adams and Corporal Volkman were standing ready to help.
Today reminded me that our SROs are so much more than officers assigned to a school. They become part of our family. They protect our children. They care for our people. And sometimes, when God places someone in their path who desperately needs them, they save a life.
As Principal of Dothan High School, I could not be more proud to have Corporal Trent Adams and Corporal Daniel Volkman serving alongside us. Gentlemen, there are simply not enough words to adequately say thank you.
Today, you didn’t just wear the badge. You showed all of us what that badge represents.
Service. Courage. Compassion. Sacrifice.
And above all else, you showed us what true heroism looks like.
We are proud of you, and we are incredibly grateful you are part of our Wolf family.
Well the border deal has gotten quiet for now, maybe the initial scare has passed, we just the U S GOVERNMENT to get out of the way !! We have a new Auctioneer. Drake moved on to another job and we wish him all the best!! We have hired a young man that I think is one of the best and is a good fit for us. Dustin Doughtry is our Auctioneer and we are glad to have him !!
Slaughter classes steady . Replacement bred cows steady to firm . Calves and feeder cattle steady to 7 lower . Market a little weaker but plenty of activity among Buyers !! The cattle numbers are still low and the BEEF demand is still very STRONG !! We need the government to get out of the way and let the MARKET WORK !!! Fed cattle in the West lower @ 216 to 220 with Iowa auctions to 232
Thank you all for your business and friendship!! And remember, we are not here just to sell your cattle; we are here to do whatever it takes to get every penny we can for your cattle.
DOTHAN: 04:38 AM Dothan 911 dispatchers rolled multiple Dothan Fire Engine Companies, Pilcher Ambulance and Dothan POlice to Lot 619, Cayman Bay Trailer Park to a structure fire.
At the time of dispatch units were advised smoke coming from the bottom of the trailer.
On Arrival of Dothan Fire Engine 6 it was reported a working fire and an offensive attack. Dothan Fire Engine 6 was an immediate search crew to make sure all occupants were out, and they were an accounted for.
04:52 AM Dothan Fire crews working the fire reported the fire is out and working ventilation.
