Police arrest five as part of sexual investigation at Westgate Park

By Matt Elofson

Published: July 21, 2008

Dothan police arrested five men as part of a week-long undercover investigation into reports of improper sexual acts at Westgate Park.

All five men, who were from the Wiregrass area, along with Florida and Georgia, were released after they posted a $300 bond on the misdemeanor charges.

The investigation, which happened from Tuesday to Friday, focused on same gender harassment at the park.

“The focus was where people were being propositioned for sexual acts,” Dothan Police Capt. Larry Draughon said. “They weren’t necessarily soliciting it for money.”

Police launched the operation after receiving complaints over the past several months of activity at the edge of the parking lot area near the Dixie Youth complex and the woods close to the walking trail, Sgt. Jimmy Holley said.

As part of the investigation, Dothan police officers worked undercover and were approached and asked to engage in sexual acts.

“That’s where all the guys were going and where we got all our complaints,” Holley said. “They would park in the parking lot and approach somebody and then ask them to walk over to the trail.”

Holley said one of the men charged told them he found out about the possible activity from a Web site.

“We get complaints like this every year, but this was a different location than the last time,” Holley said.

The following people were charged as part of the investigation:

n Isaac Andrew Mitchell, 37, of Doraville, Ga.; charged with harassment (physical contact).

n Benjamin Douglas Pope, 50, of South Appletree Street; charged with disorderly conduct (obscene language).

n Herbert Leonard Allen, 57, of Grand Ridge, Fla.; charged with disorderly conduct (obscene language).

n Harold Mack Farris, 58, of Kinston; charged with harassment (physical contact).

n Stuart Arthur Ibberson, 45, of Headland; charged with disorderly conduct (obscene language).