Willitts pleads guilty to pair of drug charges – Seven other defendants maintain not guilty pleas

By Seth Boyes,

Friday, February 21, 2025 10:42 am

Jacob Wayne Willitts

A New Hampton man, who was one of nine people charged in November as part of what local law enforcement called a lengthy drug investigation, has pleaded guilty and is expected to serve several years on probation. 

Jacob Wayne Willitts initially pleaded not guilty in early January to charges of failure to affix a drug tax stamp and possession of a controlled substance — third or subsequent offense — but he changed his plea in a Feb. 3 filing. A judge sentenced the 28-year-old the next day, suspending a jail sentence of up to five years and placing Willitts on probation for a period of five years. 

Court records indicate the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office had been following a pattern of possible drug sales in the area dating back as early as February of 2023.

“Jacob has numerous prior drug convictions as well as a conviction for the possession of methamphetamine,” a criminal complaint in the case said.

Court filings earlier this month labelled Willitts as a habitual offender — the 28-year-old’s recent plea noted four previous drug-related convictions between 2016 and 2024 — and said he potentially faced additional sentencing for his most recent charges.

Full article available in the February 20 Decorah Leader. 

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