Two Douglas residents are facing multiple felony drug charges following a vehicle pursuit and the execution of a search warrant as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
On December 30, 2025, agents with the Douglas Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) executed a search warrant at a residence near Trojan Way. Upon arrival, agents were led on a brief vehicle pursuit that ended on Highway 441 North. Traffic in the area was temporarily disrupted but the pursuit concluded safely.
Inside the vehicle were Joel Dooley, 35, and Leondra Carmichael Dooley, 44, both of Douglas. The two were detained without incident and transported to the Coffee County Jail.
Following the traffic stop, agents with DCDU, assisted by the D.I.C.E. Unit (Drug Interdiction & Criminal Enforcement), conducted a search of the residence. During the execution of the warrant, agents recovered:
Approximately 12 ounces of cocaine
Approximately 12 pounds of marijuana
63 Oxycodone tablets
Multiple firearms
Charges Filed
Joel Dooley, 35, of Douglas:
Trafficking in Cocaine
Trafficking in Marijuana
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute
Fleeing and Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement (Misdemeanor)
Leondra Carmichael Dooley, 44, of Douglas:
Trafficking in Cocaine
Trafficking in Marijuana
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute
Coffee County Sheriff Fred Cole praised the work of investigators, stating the DCDU was created to disrupt the manufacturing, distribution, and use of illegal drugs in the county.
“This is what zero-tolerance enforcement looks like. Drug activity that threatens the safety of our community will not be tolerated, and every available resource will be dedicated to this mission,” Sheriff Cole said.
All persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a deadly hunting incident that claimed the life of a teenager early Tuesday morning.
According to officials, the incident occurred behind a residence on County Road 73. A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were hunting when a hunting rifle discharged, striking the 17-year-old.
The teen was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said the investigation remains active and ongoing. In a statement, FWC extended its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim.
No additional details have been released at this time.
A man and a woman have been arrested in Okaloosa County in connection with a juvenile sex trafficking investigation, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say Lennys Cotto and Joe Trejo were taken into custody on December 23 and charged with offenses related to the sex trafficking of two juvenile females.
The arrests stem from an investigation that began with an earlier arrest in May 2025. During the investigation, deputies identified multiple indicators of human trafficking while working alongside Homeland Security and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
Authorities interviewed the juvenile victims and a witness and examined electronic devices that investigators say contained evidence connected to the case. Officials allege the evidence linked Cotto and Trejo to trafficking activity involving local bars and social media applications.
The juvenile victims have been placed in safe, undisclosed locations and are receiving appropriate victim services. The investigation remains ongoing.
BIRMINGHAM – CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: 11:57 AM. The picture is before surgery. They text us about 8:41 AM that the actual surgery had started. It was after 11 when completed.
In re Brantley
This is just a brief summary of what his Dr said
Brantley is out of surgery. Surgery started about 8:05 and Dr came and talked to us at about 11:15. Dr. Rozelle said surgery went good they went in and cleaned a lot of scar tissue out and first thought they would not have to place the stent in but got the ultrasound machine out and checked the pulse of the brain against his heart rate and determined they needed to go ahead and insert the stent. They had to go on in and clean some more scar tissue out but said stent went in smoothly. Dr. Is very hopeful about no more surgery for his Chari. He said likelihood of another Chari decompression is about 10-15%.
There is still chance of shunt malfunctions .
Brantley will spend the night in intensive care tonight and as long as he does well they will move us to a regular room.
They said hospital stay could be 2-3 days depending on him keeping food down.
We are still waiting to see him in Recovery now and could be another hour-ish.
Today we wrap up our “Meet the ASA District Directors” series.
The Alabama Sheriffs Association is proud to serve every corner of our state through a strong network of leadership. Our seven District Directors play a vital role in supporting sheriffs across Alabama by facilitating regional meetings, sharing resources, and representing their fellow sheriffs within the Association.
Our District 7 Director is Sheriff Tony Helms of Geneva County.
District 7 covers Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, and Houston Counties. As District 7 Director, Sheriff Helms brings his experience and commitment to public service to the table, ensuring collaboration and support among the sheriffs in these counties.
BIRMINGHAM: 05:30 AM. Just dropped grandson Brantley Bradley, his mom and dad at the front door of Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. Brantley has his third surgery of the year this morning. He had to be at hospital by 6 AM.
The doctors are putting a stint in the back of his head where they placed the shunt a few years ago. He has required two shunt adjustment surgeries this year. On a recent scheduled follow up the doctors determined the stints are needed.
Brantley is very calm and at peace this morning as they walked in Children’s Hospital. The doctors said we should be here 2-3 days.
Please keep him in your prayers.
Hydrocephalus is a chronic neurological condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain’s ventricles. This condition develops when there is an imbalance between the production and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid, leading to increased intracranial pressure and potential damage to brain tissue. Understanding hydrocephalus is essential for patients, families, and caregivers to recognize symptoms early and seek appropriate medical intervention.
What is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus occurs when cerebrospinal fluid—a clear fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord—accumulates abnormally within the ventricles of the brain. The ventricles are four connected cavities within the brain that produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid serves multiple critical functions, including cushioning the brain against injury, removing metabolic waste products, and maintaining proper intracranial pressure.
When the balance between CSF production and absorption becomes disrupted, fluid builds up within the ventricles. This accumulation increases intracranial pressure, which can compress brain tissue and lead to various neurological symptoms. The severity and progression of hydrocephalus depend on how quickly fluid accumulates and the underlying cause of the condition.
Types of Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is classified into two main types based on the location of the cerebrospinal fluid obstruction:
Communicating Hydrocephalus
Communicating hydrocephalus occurs when cerebrospinal fluid flow is blocked after it exits the ventricles. In this type, the fluid can circulate between the ventricles but cannot be properly absorbed in the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This typically results from impaired absorption of CSF rather than an anatomical blockage within the ventricular system.
Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus
Non-communicating hydrocephalus, also known as obstructive hydrocephalus, occurs when cerebrospinal fluid flow is blocked within or along the narrow passages connecting the brain’s ventricles. This blockage prevents fluid from freely circulating between different ventricular chambers, causing fluid accumulation upstream of the obstruction.
