WESTBY, Wis. – The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office says a Westby man who was previous arrested after discharging a gun during a domestic incident 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 Honorable Timothy Gaskell authorized an Arrest Warrant. 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 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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