By Ebony Horton
The Dale County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joe Allen McLendon, 29, of Enterprise on Nov. 17, on charges of rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, sexual torture and sexual abuse in the first degree.
After obtaining warrants from the Dale County District Attorney’s Office, Dale County Investigators Harvey Mathis and Joe Weaver went to McLendon’s residence on S. Hill Street in Enterprise and made the arrest.
The charges stem from allegations of alleged sexual contact between McLendon and a six year old girl while he resided on Dale County Road 63 in Midland City.
After the arrest, McLendon was taken to the Dale County Jail where he was held on $210,000 bond.
Rape in the first degree is a Class A Felony.
Sodomy in the first degree is a Class A Felony
Sexual Torture is a Class A Felony
Sexual Abuse in the first degree involving a child under 12 years old is a Class B Felony.
Posted by Ebony Horton on 07/18 at 09:04 PM
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By Ebony Horton
Former bookkeeper settles suit against Dale County Schools, principal
The Dale County School Board has settled a lawsuit with a former Dale County High School bookkeeper who, after money went missing from the school, alleged high school principal Leavy Boutwell sexually harassed her.
According to court records, the school board has agreed to pay former bookkeeper Melissa Meeks $3,900 to settle the federal lawsuit, while Meeks has agreed to pay the board $3,400, the amount of money found missing from a high school account.
Meeks filed a lawsuit against the board on Jan. 17, 2007, the same day she had been required to answer about the missing funds.
Meeks denied taking the money in the lawsuit and alleged she was terminated from her job for refusing Boutwell’s demands and reporting harassment.
School board attorney Chad Stewart had filed at least one motion to dismiss Meeks’ lawsuit but, according to court records, the suit was settled to keep the board from incurring any more legal expenses.
“The board and Mr. Boutwell expressly deny all claims that Meeks has asserted, and otherwise deny any wrongdoing in this matter; and only enter this settlement agreement for the good of the school system and in an effort to purchase their peace and to bring an end to expensive and inconvenient litigation,” the settlement agreement read.
Under the terms of the agreement, Meeks can nver seek or accept employment from the school board or list a board employee for any type of reference.
Posted by Ebony Horton on 07/16 at 01:37 PM
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By Ebony Horton
Virgil Allen Freet, an Ozark counselor who was charged with sexual abuse in relation to one of his clients, has been indicted. His first court date is set for July 29.
More info in Wednesday’s Dothan Eagle.
Posted by Ebony Horton on 07/15 at 12:10 PM
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By Ebony Horton
Newton Police officers are still looking into a fire that claimed a residence on King Street in Newton on Thursday, according to reports.
Newton Police Chief John Beistline said the fire occurred between 8 and 9 p.m. on Thursday.
Former Dale County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Roskum has resigned amid allegations he reviewed pornography on his work computer. More information in Tuesday’s Dothan Eagle.
Newton Police arrested Marvette Lewis, 27, for burglary in the second degree after he allegedly broke into a blind man’s residence on Mcreal Drive in Newton. He allegedly stayed and had a bowl of cereal in the residence before attempting to flee from police.
Posted by Ebony Horton on 07/14 at 02:54 PM
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By Ebony Horton
A 16-year-old Ozark boy drowned in a Coffee County pool on Saturday, according to officials.
Officials said Chris Adam Branch drowned in a private pond along County Road 707.
More information will follow in the Dothan Eagle.
Posted by Ebony Horton on 07/12 at 05:47 PM
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