Nov. 5, 2024
WESTBY, Wis. – A shelter in place order was requested for the Coon Valley Elementary School after a domestic abuse related incident and the suspects car in that case was spotted in Coon Valley.
In a press release on Tuesday morning, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office was notified that Nakeil Jermaine Bettis, 44-years-old, was at a residence in Westby in violation of a $1,500 cash bond that was signed on October 29 following a hearing in Vernon County Circuit Court.
A vehicle believed to be involved was located in Coon Valley by an officer. They spoke with the victim who reported that Bettis exited the car near the intersection of Anderson and Babcock streets and was last seen on foot prior to the law enforcement contact.
The shelter in place order was requested, and once information developed that Bettis may have been given a ride to La Crosse, the order was lifted.
An arrest warrant and formal charges of Felony Bail Jumping, Battery, and Disorderly conduct, all domestic abuse related will be sought through the Vernon County District Attorney.
The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
If you have any information about his whereabouts, contact the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office at 608-637-2123 or your local law enforcement.
Westby man back in Custody after failure to appear, additional charges filed
June 7, 2024
WESTBY, Wis. – The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office says a Nakeil Jermaine Bettis, of Westby, who was previous arrested after discharging a gun during a domestic incident back in May is back in custody after failing to appear in court, and now faces additional charges.
According to the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office on May 8, charges of first degree recklessly endangering safety-domestic abuse, a class F felony; battery-domestic abuse, a class A misdemeanor; disorderly conduct-domestic abuse, a class B misdemeanor; and resisting or obstructing an officer, a class A misdemeanor were filed by district attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher with Clerk of Court Sheila Olson.
Bettis appeared in court the same day; however, he failed to appear for a subsequent hearing on June 5, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. for an adjourned initial appearance. The Sheriff’s Office states that Vernon County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Gaskell authorized an arrest warrant for Bettis on his failure to appear. Bettis was taken into custody today, June 7, without incident. A Bail Hearing will be scheduled, and additional charges of felony bail jumping will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher.
Previous story – May 8, 2024
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports late Monday morning, May 6, at approximately 11:15 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center was notified of an altercation at a residence on West Smith Road, rural Viroqua – Westby, in the town of Viroqua. It was reported that during the altercation a firearm was discharged. Officers immediately responded and determined the victim, a female, age 41, was safe at a different location. As officers were establishing a perimeter, the suspect was seen running in a cornfield. The suspect, identified as Nakeil Jermaine Bettis, 44, was taken into custody at approximately 11:30 a.m.
The investigation continued. Evidence of a firearm discharge was discovered, and a handgun was later located.
Nakeil Bettis was booked into the Vernon County Detention Center for first degree recklessly endangering safety, battery, disorderly conduct, and domestic abuse. Bettis appeared in Vernon County Circuit Court on Monday afternoon for a bail hearing. Bond was set at $1,000 cash. Formal charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Angela Palmer-Fisher. At approximately 7:00 p.m. the cash bail was posted/paid and Bettis was released. He is due back on court on Wednesday morning, May 8, at 8:30 a.m.
Assisting the Sheriff’s Office were the Viroqua Police Department, Viroqua Fire Department, and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. Vernon County Emergency Management also responded for aerial drone support.
I would like to thank my entire team and neighboring law enforcement partners were working efficiently and effectively to bring this incident safely to a close.
The incident remains under investigation by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Roy Torgerson
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