June 2, 2006 -Members of the Tri River Area Special Operations Team the Clayton County Sheriffs Department and Postville Police Department assisted the Winnebago County Sheriffs Department/Rockford Illinois Police Department and Metro Narcotics Unit with two narcotics search warrants. The investigation leading to the search warrants was begun by the Postville Police Department and led to Rockford Illinois. During the execution of these warrants officers seized 625 Pounds of Marijuana, one hand gun, one rifle, one vehicle and US Currency. Five suspects were also arrested and charged with Delivery of Marijuana of 500 pounds. All are being held on $1,000,000 Cash Bond in the Winnebago County Jail in Rockford Illinois.

Bricks of Marijuana and firearms	Bricks of Marijuana and US Currency	Bricks of Marijuana

On October 4th, 2006 the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of Meth amphetamine Laboratory, which was located at the Larson Rock Quarry in rural Elkader, IA. Upon Investigators arriving at the scene they located Anhydrous Ammonia, Pseudo ephedrine pills, and various other items that were used to manufacture meth amphetamine. Investigators seized the items and disposed of all hazardous materials related to this incident.  This incident is under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Investigative unit and if you have any information regarding this incident or others like if, please contact the Sheriff’s office at 563-245-1234 with any anonymous information.

On October 5, 2006 - The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office along with the Guttenberg Police and Garnavillo Police went to the residence of 206 South Industrial Park Drive in Garnavillo, IA after law enforcement officials concluded a several week investigation regarding a Methamphetamine manufacturing operation that was taking place at the Great River Creations business. After arriving at the business officers took into custody 42 year old Jeffrey Hinrichs of Guttenberg, IA. Hinrichs is currently charged with possession of anhydrous ammonia, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Items used to manufacture methamphetamine were also located at the address.  Law enforcement authorities are continuing their investigations and Hinrichs could be charged at a later date with Felony drug manufacturing.

On October 6, 2006 at approx. 7:15 p.m., the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office made a traffic stop on a vehicle on Hwy. 52 south of Guttenberg for a speeding violation. During the stop, there was an odor of marijuana detected. The Guttenberg K-9 was then called to assist on the traffic stop.  The K-9 was deployed and marijuana was found in the vehicle along with ecstasy pills, and drug paraphernalia. Four suspects were placed under arrest and taken to the Clayton County Jail. Lacey Host, 25 of St. Paul, MN, Michael Broesky, 22 of Manitoba Canada, Justin Stuelke, 22 of St. Paul, MN, and Paul Dunkirk-Greenbaum, 19 of Afton, MN, were all charged with Possession of Marijuana, and other drug charges.

October 11, 2006- At approximately 530am the Clayton County Sheriffs Office received a call of  one vehicle accident east of Edgewood near the Coop. During the investigation it was determined that Lukas Pitzer 20 of Prairie Du Chien WI was operating a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am Westbound on Hwy 3 at a high rate of speed. The driver failed to negotiate a curve causing the vehicle to leave the roadway. The vehicle entered the ditch for approximately 391 feet before hitting C7X Hilton Road intersection. The vehicle then became airborne over C7X and snapped off a stop sign about 5 feet above the ground. The vehicle then rolled 2 and 1/2 times coming to rest on its top against some pine trees. The vehicle traveled a total of 505 feet during the accident. Pitzer and his passenger Jordan Sykora 19 of Prairie Du Chien WI both sustained injuries due to the accident and where transported by Edgewood EMS to Regional Medical Center in Manchester. Charges are pending further investigation. Assisting at the scene were Edgewood EMS, Edgewood Fire Department and the Delaware County Sheriffs Office
  

October 11, 2006- In May of 2006 the Clayton County Sheriffs Department and Helping Services for Northeast Iowa joined forces in an attempt to inform and train alcohol beverage servers throughout Clayton County and enforce underage drinking laws.

 Helping Services for Northeast Iowa was awarded a grant for Underage Enforcement of Drinking Laws. In June and July several beverage server trainings where co-hosted throughout the county by the Clayton County Sheriffs Department and Helping Services of Northeast Iowa.  Servers attending the 2 hour training learned how to detect a fake or altered ID, when and how to refuse service to intoxicated persons, penalties for providing alcohol to persons under 21 and other alcohol related topics.

In September the Clayton County Sheriffs Department conducted alcohol compliance checks of licensed establishments in Clayton County. A minor, under the direction and observation of law enforcement officers, went to licensed establishments in an attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages. Thirty-four establishments were checked and six where found to be non-compliant and completed the sale of alcohol to the minor. The clerk at each establishment was then issued a citation for providing alcohol to persons under age. The fine issued to each clerk totaled $715. Each establishment is subject to a $500 civil penalty or 14 license suspensions for the first offense with penalties being higher for subsequent offenses.

Although six establishments were non-compliant 83% were compliant. This percentage is a good representation that shows over 80% of the licensed establishments in the Clayton County are compliant when it comes to serving alcohol to minors.

It’s the hope of the Clayton County Sheriffs Department and Helping Services of Northeast Iowa that licensed establishments become more aware of the need to check ID’s when serving alcohol.

October 13, 2006 - The Prairie du Chien Police Dept. executed a narcotics search warrant at a residence in the 300 block of North Wacouta Ave. Officers seized approx. one quarter pound of marijuana which was individually wrapped in zip-lock bags in weights ranging from one-eighth to one-quarter ounces. Officers also seized packaging equipment, a digital scale, and numerous items of paraphernalia for the use of marijuana, meth amphetamine, cocaine, and heroine. Brenda L. Fleury, age 36, was taken into custody for the Delivery of Marijuana, Delivery of Meth amphetamine, and Possession with the intent to deliver marijuana. Also arrested were Angelica L.M. Pitzer, age 18, for Possession of Marijuana, Jordon M. Sykora, age 19, for Possession of Marijuana, and Linde L. Olsen, age 44 for Possession of Marijuana. All were lodged in the Crawford County Jail. Deputies from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Dept. and Clayton County, Iowa Sheriff’s Dept. assisted the police Dept. with the search.

October 13, 2006- The Clayton County Sheriffs Office received a call of a one vehicle accident on Hwy 13 north of 182nd Street. A 2001 Pontiac Gran Prix operated by Margaret Nelson of Waukon, was northbound on Hwy 13 when she lost control of her vehicle. The vehicle then entered the ditch and struck a tree. Margaret and her passenger Raymond Nelson of Waukon where injured in the accident. Assisting at the scene were the Central Ambulance Service, Monona Ambulance Service, Famersburg First Responders, Farmersburg Fire Department, and the Iowa State Patrol and Elkader Police Department. Margaret Nelson is charged with Failure to Maintain Control.

October 29, 2006- At approximately 2:54am a one vehicle accident occurred on 190th street Northeast of Garnavillo. The vehicle was traveling westbound when the driver lost control and entered the ditch causing the vehicle to roll end over end landing on its side. The driver, Travis Kruse 26 from West Union, was injured in the accident and transported to the Guttenberg Hospital. Also injured in the accident were Jeff Eastman 34 from Prairie Du Chien WI, Jeff Mason 19 from Prairie Du Chien WI, Marian "Dianne" Martin 52 from Monona, and Rhonda Hakert 32 from Guttenberg. All passengers were transported to the Guttenberg Hospital. Hakert was later transferred to the University of Iowa Hospitals by Air Care. The accident is under investigation by the Clayton County Sheriffs Office and charges are pending. The Clayton County Sheriffs office was assisted by Guttenberg Police Fire and Ambulance services, Mar Mac Rescue Squad and Prairie Du Chien EMS Rescue Squad.

November 10, 2006- At 10:04am there was a one vehicle accident on Garber Road outside of Guttenberg. Michael Billingsley 21, of Guttenberg as operating a motor vehicle on Garber Road when he lost control. Two passengers with Billingsley were uninjured in the accident. Billingsley was found to be operating the vehicle while intoxicated and was placed under arrest and transported to the Clayton County Jail. Billingsley is charged with Operating While Intoxicated, Driving While Revoked, Driving While Suspended, Failure to Maintain Control, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Additional charges are pending. The accident is under investigation by the Clayton County Sheriffs Office. Assisting at the scene where the Guttenberg Police, Fire and Ambulance Services.

November 11, 2006- At approximately 9:33pm the Clayton County Sheriffs Office responded to a one vehicle accident on Hwy 56 near the Fayette County Line. Ardeth Ramsey was Westbound on struck a large cow in the roadway. The vehicle was severely damaged, Ramsey was taken to Central Community Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

November 15, 2006- At 6:56pm deputies responded to a two vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 18 and Falcon Avenue. Nicolas Thornton 18 of Farmersburg, pulled out from the stop sign and failed to yield to Robert Friederich 71 of Postville. Friedrich struck Thronton's car in the drivers door and did extensive damage to the vehicle. Friedrich was transported to Waukon Hospital by MFL Ambulance. Thornton was taken by private vehicle to a hospital. Charges are pending further investigation. The case is being investigated by the Clayton County Sheriffs Office. Assisting at the scene where Monona Police Fire and MFL Ambulance.

December 22, 2006- at 554am a once vehicle roll over accident occurred on Mississippi Road north of Guttenberg. Eric Connolly 24, of Guttenberg was operating a Chevy Silverado Northbound on Mississippi Road when he lost control and entered the ditch. The vehicle rolled one and a half times coming to rest on the drivers side. Connolly was partially ejected and trapped underneath the vehicle until emergency services freed him. Connolly was transported to the Guttenberg Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  A passenger in the vehicle, Joshua Knockel 22 of Colesburg was also transported to Guttenberg Hospital where he was treated and released. Assisting at the scene was the Guttenberg Fire and Ambulance services. The accident is under investigation by the Clayton County Sheriffs Office.

December 24, 2006- at 922pm the Clayton County Sheriffs Office received a report of a one vehicle accident on Clayton Road 1.5 miles east of Garnavillo. Anna Lessard 68, of Prairie Du Chien WI was eastbound on Clayton Road when she lost control of her vehicle due to icy road conditions. The vehicle entered the north ditch and hit a creek bed which caused the vehicle to roll one time. The vehicle came to rest against a rock wall. The vehicle sustained serious damage. Kenneth Lessard 71 of Prairie Du Chien Wi, was a passenger in the vehicle and died as a result of injuries sustained during the crash. Anna was transported to the Guttenberg Hospital where she was treated for injuries and later transferred to Madison WI where condition is unknown at this time. Assisting at the scene where the Garnavillo Police and Fire Departments, Garnavillo First Responders, Guttenberg Ambulance Service, and the Iowa State Patrol. The accident is under investigation by the Clayton County Sheriffs Office.

December 25, 2006- At 11:22pm the Guttenberg Police Department was dispatched to a reported of a deceased female along Highway 52, just south of Guttenberg. Upon arrival officers identified the deceased female as Terri Pettit age 32 of Guttenberg. Subsequent investigation determined that Pettit was struck by a vehicle being operated by Curtis Pierce age 44 also of Guttenberg. Pierce was arrested and charged with Homicide by Vehicle and transported to the Clayton County Jail where he is being held on $50,000 cash or Corporate Surety Bond. The investigation is on going with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Clayton County Sheriffs Office, Iowa State Patrol and Guttenberg Police Department.