The Ozark Police Department announced Wednesday that an officer seized a large quantity of illegal liquor during a traffic stop earlier this month.
According to police, on January 9, 2026, Officer Dylan Griffin with the department’s Crime Suppression Unit conducted a traffic enforcement stop for a traffic violation. During the stop, Officer Griffin observed multiple containers holding a clear liquid in plain view inside the vehicle.
Further investigation revealed the liquid to be illegally distilled moonshine. Authorities say a total of 81 gallons were seized — an amount that exceeds what is legally allowed to possess without a proper license under Alabama law.
Police identified the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle as Learndis Hamilton, 61, who was reportedly traveling from Florida to an unknown destination at the time of the stop.
Hamilton was subsequently arrested, and the case has since been turned over to the Alabama Beverage Control Board for further investigation.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
A civil lawsuit alleging the sexual abuse of a young patient at a Dothan youth treatment facility was settled this week, avoiding a jury trial that was set to begin in Houston County Circuit Court.
The lawsuit stemmed from allegations that Laurel Oaks, a residential mental health treatment center for children and teens, failed to properly protect an 8-year-old patient in its care.
Court records state the child, identified as JGP, was admitted to the facility in 2022 by his father, Joshua Phelps. According to the lawsuit, the child was allegedly sexually assaulted by another juvenile patient just days after his admission. The suit further claimed the other child had a known history of sexual violence.
Phelps alleged he was not notified of the incident until approximately 12 hours after staff at the facility became aware of the alleged assault, which the lawsuit said was committed by the child’s roommate.
“What our client endured is something no child should ever face,” attorney Thomas James said following the filing of the lawsuit, according to Montgomery Advertiser. “Every child entrusted to the care of facilities like Laurel Oaks deserves protection and safety, not betrayal.”
Due to juvenile confidentiality laws, it is unclear whether criminal charges were ever filed, as juvenile arrest records are not available to the public.
The case was scheduled to go before a jury this week and appeared poised for trial as late as Monday. However, Houston County Circuit Judge Todd Derrick confirmed Tuesday that the case had been settled. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Attorneys for both sides did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
DOTHAN: During the day today multiple Dothan Police units have been seen on Flowers Chapel Road. The officers were searching for a missing persons who was seen running in the woods.
Dothan Police has cleared the area but search efforts are undergoing in different areas.
An Elba woman has been arrested and charged following an investigation into alleged child abuse involving a child under the age of 6.
According to authorities, Emily Mikala Stroud, 22, was charged with Aggravated Child Abuse after law enforcement received a report from medical personnel on Saturday. The report led to an investigation by the Elba Police Department.
Jail records show Stroud was booked into the Coffee County Jail on Tuesday night, where she remains held without bond.
Coffee County District Attorney James Tarbox stated that the child is not the biological son of the defendant but confirmed she was considered a responsible person for the child.
Elba Police said no additional information is being released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.
A Houston County jury on Friday, Jan. 16, found Robert James Suggs, 53, of Cottonwood guilty on two felony counts of rape in the first degree.
Suggs was originally arrested in November 2024 following allegations involving a 95-year-old Cottonwood woman who was suffering from dementia.
According to testimony presented at trial, Sgt. Brandon Barnes with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office said Suggs and the victim were neighbors at the time of the incident. Barnes testified that Suggs picked the woman up in a golf cart and took her to Sealy Bales Creek under the pretense of going fishing.
Barnes stated the first rape charge stemmed from that encounter, during which Suggs removed the victim’s adult diaper in order to commit the assault. Court testimony confirmed the victim had been diagnosed with dementia in 2016.
According to Barnes, the second rape charge occurred later the same day when Suggs allegedly repeated the assault at the victim’s home.
Suggs was indicted by a Houston County grand jury in April 2025. Following the verdict, Barnes commented, “She didn’t deserve what happened to her,” adding that he was grateful to see justice served for the victim.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 4, 2026, according to public court records.
HOUSTON COUNTY: On Tuesday afternoon Houston County businessman John Rogers announced that he is seeking election as Chairman of Houston County Commission in the Republican primary.
John Resident, born and raised in Houston County, a family man, announced that he feels those elected are public servants. The person elected does not have ownership of the office elected. Rogers made it clear the office belongs to the people. Rogers stated that freedom is not free and we are all blessed to be born in this country. Rogers said he makes the announcement to serve the citizens of Houston County, stressing as a public servant.
John Rogers cited transparency, physical responsibility, family, family values and integrity.
John Rogers said there is a need to help serve all people of the county. That government is taxpayer funded and that money should go back to our citizens.
John Rogers said we need jobs, people in servants role who have a work ethic and work to provide jobs.
John Rogers is a conservative Republican. He is thankful for an opportunity to serve the people.
Rogers said it is important to get back to We The People and the office belongs to the people.
John Rogers ask for your support. His phone number is 334-701-3502 if you would like to talk with him. If you want to support his campaign contributions can be made to THE JOHN ROGERS CAMPAIGN FUND, P.O. Box 86, Dothan, Al. 36302. If mailing in please include full name, email and address to the contribution can be recorded. Or you can uuse Apple Pay to 334-701-3502.
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