ELBA – COFFEE COUNTY: UPDATED At 8:28 AM this Saturday morning Coffee County Central 911 Center dispatched Elba Police, Coffee County Sheriff Department, and Enterprise Rescue to a firearm assault at Dorsey Trailers in Elba. Each department responded along with Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd.
The emergency units found a male subject with a firearm assault wound to the back. Enterprise Rescue dispatched one of the three Enterprise Rescue helicopters to the scene. The patient, a manager of Dorsey Trailers, was flown to a trauma center. The manager’s firearm assault injuries are not reported to be life threatening, but the firearm assault was severe.
Elba Police, Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd and Coffee County Sheriff Deputies launched an investigation. The suspect was identified quickly. The officers, Sheriff Byrd and Enterprise Police quickly hit a location near Enterprise in an effort to apprehend the suspect but he was not at the location.
All of the agencies and officers worked together, all day. ALEA – State Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshall’s, and Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza and members of the Houston County Sheriff Special Response Team ( SWAT ), combined with Elba Police, Enterprise Police and Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd and deputies from Coffee County Sheriff Department, based on the investigation since 8:28 AM located the whereabouts of the suspect. And tonight, before 9:00 PM, the combined agencies swarmed the location and took the suspect into custody.
The suspect is identified as hispanic male Julio Torres described as 5’09, 266 pounds. After questioning, Torres has been arrested and booked into the Coffee County Jail, under a no bond.
Information is the manager terminated Torres this morning and escorted him outside the fence of Dorsey Trailers in Elba. It is alleged that Torres went to his vehicle, obtained a vehicle, returning to the fence and firing several rounds over the fence and struck the manager in the back. Immediately the emergency system in Coffee County worked, and all agencies and outside agencies worked as one. In about 12 hours from the call hitting Coffee County 911, law enforcement had suspect identified, his location, resources in place, and the officers placed their lives in danger and took the alleged shooter into custody.
The Dothan Police Department is celebrating a major professional milestone as Lieutenant Lacy Watkins graduated from the FBI National Academy’s 296th session on December 11, 2025, in Quantico, Virginia.
Lt. Watkins becomes only the second female officer in department history to complete the prestigious program, an honor achieved by fewer than one percent of law enforcement officers nationwide. The 11-week academy is internationally recognized for its advanced training in leadership, communication, and physical fitness, and is reserved for officers with proven records of excellence.
The 296th session included 254 graduates representing 47 states, the District of Columbia, 24 countries, four military organizations, and two federal civilian agencies.
Chief William E. Benny praised Lt. Watkins’ accomplishment, citing her professionalism and leadership as key reasons for her selection. Lt. Watkins currently serves as division commander of the Professional Standards Division and has been with the Dothan Police Department since 2011. She was promoted to lieutenant in October 2023 after serving in both patrol and criminal investigations.
Since its founding in 1935, the FBI National Academy has produced more than 56,000 graduates worldwide, many of whom go on to serve in executive leadership roles within their agencies.
Members of Wiregrass Angel House braved the cold this week as they joined the Dale County Sheriff’s Office for a hands-on firearms training session at the department’s shooting range.
Deputies opened the range to provide participants with a controlled, safe environment to learn firearm fundamentals, improve confidence, and practice under expert supervision.
Despite the chilly temperatures, officials say the group’s enthusiasm never faded. Angel House team members actively took part in drills, safety lessons, and guided coaching throughout the evening.
The Dale County Sheriff’s Office extended its appreciation to everyone who assisted with instruction and range oversight, noting that they look forward to offering similar collaborative training opportunities in the future.
We are excited to announce our Mystics du Mayhem Benefit Dove Shoot – an event filled with community, fellowship, and purpose.
This year’s benefit is especially meaningful to us. One of our own board members and her family have been personally affected by Huntington’s Disease, and we will be donating proceeds from this event to Huntington’s Disease Research in honor of Patty Loftin.
⸻
Event Details
Entry Fee: $150 per gun
Companions are welcome – if they plan to shoot, they must also pay the $150 fee and complete a registration form and waiver. The fee is per gun.
Approximately 50 hunting spots available—first come, fist to pay, first serve!
Each hunter will receive a tumbler!
⸻
Schedule
11:00 AM – Registration opens (draw for your number & place in the field)
11:30 AM – Lunch served to all registered hunters
12:45 PM – First wagon heads to the field
1:00 PM – Dove shoot begins!
Come enjoy a great day outdoors, good food, and even better company – all while supporting a meaningful cause.
This year for our 3rd Annual Donation Drive, we are proud to have partnered with Wiregrass Hope Pregnancy Center! We are thankful to have this great organization right here in our community. Please feel free to stop by Glover Funeral Home, 1468 Hartford Highway, Dothan, (8:00-4:30, Monday – Friday) to drop off items next to the Christmas Tree in our lobby! Below are some of the most requested items at this time.
Three men are behind bars without bond after a two-month investigation led Dothan Police to uncover an alleged human trafficking operation involving multiple adult victims.
Authorities identified the suspects as Adam Scott Moore, 42; Jeremy Rashad Blackmon, 38; and Jimmie Lee Covington Jr., 38. Each man faces two counts of second-degree human trafficking, along with additional charges revealed during the investigation.
According to Dothan Police, the case began in November when investigators looking into drug activity discovered evidence that the men were allegedly arranging paid sexual encounters with adult women through a social media platform. Detectives say the suspects coordinated scheduling, collected payments, and provided “protection” for the women at various hotels around Dothan.
Additional Charges
Moore also faces one count of chemical endangerment of a child.
Blackmon is additionally charged with first-degree rape and has five failure-to-appear warrants from Dothan City Court.
Covington faces only the two human trafficking counts at this time.
All three are being held without bond in the Houston County Jail. Police say more arrests and charges may follow as the investigation continues.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case, investigators declined to release further details but stressed that human trafficking remains a serious and growing threat.
“Human trafficking exploits vulnerable people for profit, and we will pursue every lead to hold offenders accountable,” a Dothan Police spokesperson said.
Anyone with information related to this case or other trafficking activity is urged to contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000, Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP, or submit an anonymous tip at P3TIPS.com.
