Dothan, Ala. — A Columbia man is facing multiple charges after a disturbing investigation revealed years of sexual abuse involving children. Alphonzo Lorand Sanders, 45, was arrested on December 18, 2024, by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and charged with three counts of incest, three counts of first-degree rape, and three counts of first-degree sodomy. Sanders is being held at the Houston County Jail with a combined bond set at $1,490,000.
The investigation, which began in August 2024, was launched after authorities received a report of sexual assault involving a child. As investigators delved deeper into the case, they discovered that Sanders had allegedly abused three children over the course of at least ten years.
In a related development, Candance Coachman, also of Columbia, was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated child abuse. Coachman, who is believed to have been involved in the abuse, is currently being held in the Houston County Jail without bond.
The HCSO worked closely with the Department of Human Resources and the Child Advocacy Center throughout the investigation, which has shocked the local community. The authorities have expressed their commitment to ensuring justice for the victims involved in the case.
Both Sanders and Coachman remain in custody as the investigation continues.
