Domestic dispute results in the arrest of an armed convicted felon

By Carol A. Gasser Moore

VALDOSTA, Lowndes County, Georgia – A citizen E911 call to have officers check the well-being of a female at a Green Street residence led to an arrest.  The call was logged at about 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, Octber26. Valdosta Police Department (VPD) Officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of Green Street.

The E911 caller explained that the female in question may have been involved in a domestic dispute that involved a firearm.

As officers responded, they were made aware that a subject involved, later identified as Dexter Vern-Derric Murphy (31) of Quitman, had an active arrest warrant.

Officers made contact with the female upon their arrival at the residence.  The woman stated that she was ‘alright’. The woman also confirmed that Murphy was inside the house and that he had a handgun.  With the knowledge that the woman was okay and that Murphy was armed, a Valdosta Police Department K-9 Unit gave verbal commands for Murphy to come out of the residence.  After several verbal command attempts to get Murphy to come out of the residence on his own, he came out of the residence.  Dexter Murphy was detained without any incident.

VPD Officers found a firearm, numerous rounds of ammunition, over 108 grams of marijuana, and tools indicative of narcotics sales, inside the residence where Murphy had been located.

Murphy was transported to Lowndes County Jail for the active arrest warrant, not related to this case, and the received the following additional charges:

• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon-felony;
• Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime-felony;
• Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute-felony; and
• Possession of tools for the commission of a crime-felony.

The VPD  asks that if anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, please contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department/.