Man Arrested for Theft of Electronic Walmart Shopping Cart
Curtis Wymes, 25, has been arrested by Dothan police and charged with stealing a motorized scooter filled with alcohol from a local Walmart shopping center. Records show that police charged Wymes with stealing two 18-packs of Corona beer, three 12-packs of “Strawberita” beer, and a motorized shopping cart that is typically used by handicapped customers. The determined value of the property stolen was a combined $5,069.85. Wymes is currently being held at the Houston County Jail on $5,000 bail.
Officers arrived to the scene in response to a theft in progress complaint at the Northside Walmart Supercenter where they learned that a man had left the store on an electronic scooter without paying for a large amount of alcoholic beverages. Officers found a suspect matching the description in the 3000 block of Flynn Road where they took Wymes into custody and charged him with felony first-degree theft of property.
In the state of Alabama, first-degree theft of property is a Class B felony that is punishable by no more than 20 years in prison, and no less than two years. Theft of property is classified in the first-degree if the property value stolen exceeds $2,500.
If you or someone you know is facing theft charges, it is important that you contact an experienced criminal attorney to handle your case. The lawyers of Boles Holmes White are experienced in a variety of legal matters and have a history of success in the courtroom. Call to schedule a consultation today.
- Published in Criminal Law
Headland Man Facing Felony Criminal Charges
Kennon O’Bryan Hester, of Headland, has been charged with enticing a child for immoral purposes in connection to a July 21st incident involving two teenage girls. Hester, who is currently out on bail for drug trafficking charges, was taken to the Houston County Jail where he is being held without bail.
Police arrested Hester after they received a complaint of a man chasing two juvenile girls from the 1300 block of Alexander Drive to a home in the 1200 block of Judson Street. Hester, 35, was taken into custody shortly after at the Alexander Court Apartment Complex. Dothan Police Lieutenant Will Benny has announced that neither victim, ages 13 and 14, were injured in this alleged crime.
Court records show that Hester was arrested earlier this month by Dothan police and charged with drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, and unlawful possession of meth. He also has a second drug trafficking charge, and a drug possession charge pending from a 2012 arrest.
In the state of Alabama, enticing a child for immoral purposes is classified as a Class C felony. This crime generally carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, and a minimum sentence of one year and one day. Fines may also be imposed but may not exceed $15,000.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a felony crime, it is important that you contact an experienced criminal attorney to handle your case. The lawyers of Boles Holmes White are experienced in a variety of legal matters and have a history of success in the courtroom. Call to schedule a consultation today.
- Published in Criminal Law
Two Dothan Women Arrested on Theft Charges
Connie Collins, 54, and Charlotte King, 53, have been arrested in connection to the theft of over $500 worth of merchandise from two local businesses. Each woman has been charged with two felony counts of second degree theft of property and both were transported to the Houston County Jail where they are being held on bail totaling $5,000.
Officers responded to a theft complaint at Kohl’s department store on Friday July 11th and were told that two women had taken several items from the store without paying. The suspects fled the scene of the crime in a maroon Dodge car, but were stopped by officers and taken into custody a short time later. Collins and King were found to be in possession of merchandise stolen from Kohl’s department store and Academy Sports store.
In the state of Alabama, theft of property in the second degree is a Class C felony and is punishable by a prison sentence of no less than one year and one day, and no more than 10 years. Theft of property is classified in the second degree if the property value stolen is more than $500 and less than $2500.
If you or someone you know is facing theft charges, it is important that you contact an experienced criminal attorney to handle your case. The lawyers of Boles Holmes White are experienced in a variety of legal matters and have a history of success in the courtroom. Call to schedule a consultation today.
- Published in Criminal Law
Former Bail Bondsman Pleads Guilty to Identity Theft
Roderick Dewayne Neal, 49, pleaded guilty to felony charges of aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to make false claims in federal court in Montgomery on Thursday afternoon. The former bail bondsman at A-Advantage Bonding now faces a mandatory sentence of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charge and a maximum sentence of 10 years for the conspiracy charge.
Neal and two women, Ivory Minnette Bolen and Nina McKinnie Macena, have been charged with conspiring to defraud the government by filing false federal income tax returns in the names of third parties without their knowledge or consent. The scheme is believed to have lasted from January 2012 to December 2013 and caused the IRS to pay out $209,243 through the false tax returns.
According to the indictment, Neal obtained identification information of the victims and provided it to Macena, who then gave it to Bolen. Bolen used the stolen personal information to prepare and file the federal income tax returns. She then had the refunds deposited into the accounts for pre-paid debit cards and had them mailed to addresses linked to herself and Macena.
The charges against Macena remain pending and she ix expected to appear for trial at the federal courthouse in Dothan next week. Bolen has already pleaded guilty using stolen identities to electronically file false federal income tax returns and will now serve a 42 month prison sentence.
Neal has been released on bail and a sentencing hearing will be scheduled within the next 60 to 70 days.
- Published in Uncategorized
AAA to Offer Free Towing Service to Impaired Drivers for July 4th Holiday
In an effort to help drivers celebrate the nation’s birthday safely, AAA-Alabama will again be offering “Tow-for-Life” services this year across the state. “Tow-for-Life” utilizes AAA-Alabama contracted wrecker services and will be able to tow impaired drivers up to 10 miles for free between 6:00 p.m. Thursday night and 11:59 p.m. on Friday. The program is in it’s 24th year of operation and this will be the third time it is offered for the Fourth of July holiday.
“This is a very dangerous time of year to be on the roads,” AAA-Alabama spokesman Clay Ingram said. “We want to do everything possible to prevent people from drinking and driving, and this service should certainly help keep impaired drivers off the roads.”
The service is available to people regardless of whether they are current AAA members but vehicles must be operational to quality for free towing. Charges may be assessed for distances longer than 10 miles.
How it works:
- Call AAA-Alabama at 1-800-222-4357 (1-800-AAA-HELP) and ask for Tow-for-Life.
- Provide the operator with the driver’s name, home address, telephone number and the exact location of the vehicle in order to have a tow truck dispatched
- Upon arrival, the driver of the tow truck will ask for identification and the keys to the vehicle.
This program will also exist in other states, including: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Hawaii, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, New Mexico and southern California.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that more than 630 people were killed in automobile crashes on July 4th from 2008 through 2012.
- Published in DUI
Man Arrested for Employee Theft in Dothan
John Floyd Denson, 52, of East Smithville Road, was arrested on Tuesday after an internal investigation revealed that he stole more than $6,000 worth of merchandise from his employer. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree theft of property and is currently being held on a $30,000 bond.
The investigation was conducted by the company’s security division after they received evidence showing that Denson was potentially stealing from the plant. It was discovered that Denson stole over $3,500 worth of tools and equipment during his employment at Waynes Farms in Dothan. The investigation also determined that Denson ordered nearly $3,000 worth of chain link fencing for a family member, which he used the company’s account to purchase.
Police are asking for anyone that has purchased tools from Denson within the last year to contact authorities at 334-615-3000.
In the state of Alabama, theft of property in the first degree is a Class B felony that is punishable by no less than two years in prison, and no more than 20 years.
The following constitutes first-degree theft of property in Alabama:
(a) The theft of property which exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in value, or property of any value taken from the person of another, constitutes theft of property in the first degree.
(b) The theft of a motor vehicle, regardless of its value, constitutes theft of property in the first degree.
(c) The theft of property which involves all of the following constitutes theft of property in the first degree:
- The theft is a common plan or scheme by one or more persons; and
- The object of the common plan or scheme is to sell or transfer the property to another person or business that buys the property with knowledge or reasonable belief that the property is stolen; and
- The aggregate value of the property stolen is at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) within a 180-day period.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a property crime, it is important that you contact an experienced criminal attorney to handle your case. The lawyers of Boles Holmes White are experienced in a variety of legal matters and have a history of success in the courtroom. Call to schedule a consultation today.
- Published in Criminal Law
Bail Bondsman Arrested for Handcuffing Men to Courtroom Door
Ricky Stokes, the bail bondsman who handcuffed two men to the door of the city courtroom, turned himself into police on Tuesday night and was booked on two counts of second-degree unlawful imprisonment. He has since been released after posting two $300 bonds.
The charges stem from an incident on June 4th when two men turned themselves in to Stokes after missing their court dates earlier in the week. Police allegedly refused to take the men into custody because arrest warrants hadn’t been issued, and court was not in session. Stokes, who had bonded the men out of jail on their original charges, handcuffed them both to the Dothan Municipal Courthouse door and left the premises. The men remained chained to the door for nearly 25 minutes before being released.
Stokes says that he have handcuffed the two men to prove a point that the Dothan City court was understaffed. He also refutes claims made by Rev. Kenny Sharpton Glassgow that this incident is race related. Stokes responded to the incident in his blog with the following statement:
“I firmly stand on the grounds that I am not guilty and have not violated the laws in my actions regarding the apparent bail jumping by Reese and Tiller. When you fail to appear for court at the time prescribed by the court, then you have jumped bail.
As a bondsman, it is my duty to return you to the custody of the Chief of Police or Sheriff, whichever has jurisdiction of the case, in order to clear your bail jumping.
The laws of this state give bondsman wide latitude in the apprehension and surrender of those who bail jump. Case law likens it the re-arrest of an escaped prisoner by the Sheriff.”
The two men and a handful of witnesses went to the city magistrate’s office on Tuesday to file an official complaint against Stokes and warrants were issued later that day. In the state of Alabama, unlawful imprisonment in the second degree is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by no more than three months in jail and no more than a $500 fine for each count.
- Published in Criminal Law
Dothan Officer Pleads Guilty to Having Sex with Student
Lanice Clifton Bonds, a Dothan police resource officer accused of having sexual relations with a 17 year old high school student, pleaded guilty to a charge of “School employee engaging in a sex act with a student under the age of 19” on Monday June 9th.
Bonds, 31, of Drexel Court, was arrested on September 24th of last year after Dothan City School officials forwarded a complaint to the Dothan Police Department alleging that an inappropriate relationship involving a high school student and a school resource officer had taken place. An internal affairs investigation was launched which led to a criminal probe by the Dothan Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. Officers interviewed Bonds about the facts of the case where he confessed to his involvement in the incident. Bonds was later terminated from his position as the school resource officer at Dothan High School where he had been employed for six year.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 21, 2014 where Bonds faces between 2-20 years in prison.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a sex crime, it is important that you contact an experienced criminal attorney to handle your case. The attorneys of Boles Holmes White are experienced in a variety of legal matters and have a history of success in the courtroom. Call to schedule a consultation today.
- Published in Criminal Law
Dothan Man Arrested for Burglary and Domestic Violence
Anthony Jermaine Jackson, 35, was arrested by Dothan Police on June 3rd after officers responded to a burglary in the 500 block of East Selma Street. Upon arriving at the scene, police learned that Jackson had attempted to enter the home, which belonged to his ex-girlfriend, by breaking out one of the windows. After being confronted by an occupant of the residence, Jackson fled the scene prior to officers arriving.
Investigators say that Jackson and the victim were involved in a relationship that had recently ended. During the attempted entry into the home, Jackson also allegedly threatened to kill the victim.
Anthony Jackson was later spotted by officers several blocks from the homeand was taken into custody immediately after. He has been charged with second degree burglary and second degree domestic violence. Jackson is currently being held without bond.
Second-degree burglary and second-degree domestic violence are both Class B felonies in the state of Alabama and carry maximum sentences of 20 years in prison. For second and subsequent convictions for second-degree domestic violence, the defendant must serve at least six months in custody before being released on probation or parole, or receiving credit for good behavior.
If you or someone you know has been charged with domestic violence or robbery, it is important that you contact an experienced criminal attorney to handle your case. The attorneys of Boles Holmes White are experienced in a variety of legal matters and have a history of success in the courtroom. Call to schedule a consultation today.
- Published in Criminal Law
Bayliss Ruling Creates Questions
Since the Supreme Court of Alabama has reversed the holding in Bayliss,it has raised some issues that the Court will most likely have to address in the near future. The most obvious being how to deal with the fact that in Alabama the age of majority is 19. This age is more than is required for most any adult dealings. For instance, at 18 a male must register for the draft and both sexes are able to register to vote.
By the age of majority being 19 in Alabama, it obligates non-custodial parents to continue child support payments until then or the minor child becomes self-supporting. It raises the interesting question of: now that a noncustodial parent cannot be forced to pay post minority support, why would they have to continue to pay support to a custodial parent in a situation where the 18 year old child is enrolled and attending a university full time?
Child support is paid to the custodial parent, not the child, and is for the maintenance and support of that child. If the child is 18, graduated high school, attending college on a full time basis, and living away from home, why is there a need to pay the custodial parent? Currently there is no provision that would allow direct payment to the minor child in College so that the support may be used as needed by the 18 year old student. Also it must be considered that in most cases even without an order of post minority support most parents gladly assist in college expenses. That parent should not be obligated to pay child support once the 18 year old enters college full time and lives away from home. There are no assurances in place that the child would receive any benefit from that extra year of payments.
The fact is the Court probably can’t resolve this issue because the question only raises more issues. The best solution would be for the Alabama Legislature to reduce the age of majority in Alabama from 19 to 18 as is the case in many other states.
- Published in Divorce