Dothan Man Charged for DUI on Tractor
Phillip David Messick, 24, of Dothan, faces multiple felony criminal charges after he allegedly drove a stolen tractor while under the influence of alcohol. Houston County Sheriff William Maddox said deputies arrested Messick and charged him with felony first-degree theft of property, three felony counts of first-degree criminal mischief, three misdemeanor counts of third-degree criminal mischief, misdemeanor resisting arrest, and driving under the influence. Messick currently remains in custody at the Henry County Jail on bail totaling $113,000.
Maddox reports that deputies responded to a complaint of someone driving a tractor recklessly in the areas of Henry County roads 99 and 45 near Headland. Police arrived at the scene to find Maddox driving the John Deere tractor down the middle of the road.
Court records show that Messick was charged with felony criminal mischief for allegedly causing more than $200,000 in damages to a sprayer tractor belonging to a Newville man. The second felony criminal mischief charge accuses Messick of causing $3,000 in damages to a church sign for the Wings of Deliverance Church in Henry County. The third felony criminal mischief offense alleges that Messick caused over $3,000 worth of damage to fencing and gates belonging to the Wiregrass Construction Company.
Sheriff Maddox also said that Messick allegedly ran over a city of Headland road sign while driving the tractor.
- Published in Criminal Law, DUI
Dothan Man Charged with Theft in False Dog Training Scheme
Houston County Sherriff’s Lieutenant, Bill Rafferty, confirms that five felony criminal charges of theft have been filed against David Andrew Bynum for allegedly not performing services agreed to as part of a business called Wiregrass K-9. Bynum, 26, faces four counts of second degree theft of property and a single second degree theft by deception charge. Additional charges of animal cruelty could come after evidence is presented before a Houston County grand jury.
According to Sherriff’s officials, Andrew Bynum recruited customers through his website by offering to train dogs for a fee. The investigation reveals that Bynum did not perform the services paid for by customers and often returned the dogs untrained and with health issues. Bynum claims to have a training facility despite the investigation being unable to revel one that actually exists at this time.
On the Wiregrass K-9 website, www.wiregrassk9.com, Bynum had a dog named “Xander” located in the “Our Endorsers” section where a customer appeared to be promoting the business. Bill Rafferty reports that the animal actually belongs to one of the victims who have filed charges against Bynum. Xander, a German Sheperd, was returned to his owners with health issues and appeared to be under weight.
Lieutenant Rafferty notes at this time he has identified “at least four victims” and expects there will be more as the investigation continues.
Read full article here.
- Published in Criminal Law
Man Charged in Dothan Nightclub Shootings
Anthony Deionte Bell, 19, was arrested on October 9th and faces criminal charges of attempted murder and 2nd degree assault after allegedly shooting a man in the stomach during an altercation at a local nightclub. Court records show that police investigators charged Bell with the shooting of another man on the same day. Both incidents took place during the first weekend of October near the G-spot nightclub off of Columbia Highway in east Dothan. Bell was taken to the Houston County Jail where he is being held on $650,000 bond.
The police statement reveals that Bell was charged with shooting the two people after a friend had been knocked unconscious by one of the victims during a fight. Bell escaped after the shooting but was later identified by witnesses as the shooter.
Dothan Police Lieutenant Will Benny said police were first notified when a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg asked an off duty police officer working at the G-spot nightclub for help. Police responded and found the second victim who had suffered a gunshot wound to the back and stomach area.
Both gunshot victims were taken to Southeast Alabama Medical Center where they received treatment. The victim who had been shot in the leg was treated and released on the same day. The second man, who had received the gunshot to his stomach and back area, was released a few days later.
- Published in Criminal Law