Winneshiek Sheriff
A search warrant was executed May 17 at 7:48 p.m., at a residence on Red Oak Road in Decorah after an ongoing investigation by the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office. As a result, Chanh Cong Tran and Rithea Veang were arrested and transported to the Winneshiek County Jail. Chanh Cong Tran, 49, was arrested and charged with D felony possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, serious misdemeanor possession of controlled substance (Methamphetamine) and simple misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Rithea Veang, 41, was arrested and charged with serious misdemeanor possession of controlled substance (Methamphetamine) and simple misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. This is an ongoing investigation, with additional charges pending.
James Hill, 25, of Eldorado, was arrested at the Allamakee County Jail May 15, transported to the Winneshiek County Jail and booked on four arrest warrants for violation of probation. While incarcerated in the jail, Hill was served with two additional failure to serve jail time arrest warrants.
Winneshiek Sheriff’s Office was called to a disturbance in Ridgeway April 8 on Railroad Street. After a brief investigation by the deputies, three subjects were charged with disorderly conduct. Stace Lesser, 18, of Decorah turned himself in to the Decorah Police Department on May 15, and was arrested on an arrest warrant for disorderly conduct – fighting/violent behavior and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail. Thais Michelson, 21, of Decorah, and Christan Viveros, 20, of Fort Atkinson, were both charged with disorderly conduct – fighting/violent behavior.
Dylan Sweet, 24, of Decorah, was arrested April 22 at 6:25 p.m. in Decorah, and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail for serious misdemeanor possession of controlled substance, 2nd offense, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of no contact order.
Chase Hageman, 18, of Waucoma, was arrested May 16 and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail on an arrest warrant for B felony burglary, 1st degree and contribution to the delinquency of a minor. He turned himself into the Winneshiek County Jail.
Billy Jo Groncholski, 29, of Titonka, was cited for failure to provide security against liability following an accident May 19 on the Bluffton Road. Groncholski was driving a recently purchased motorcycle north on Bluffton Road when he started having problems with the back wheel. The back end began skipping or hopping. The driver turned into the corner to keep the motorcycle upright. Motorcycle and driver entered the west ditch down a steep embankment, before coming to rest. A witness at the scene observed the back wheel of the motorcycle malfunctioning, causing it to go into the ditch. The driver was transported by ambulance to Winneshiek Medical Center. The motorcycle was totaled.
Chanh Tran, 49, of Decorah, was arrested May 20 at 9:20 a.m. on Red Oak Road in Decorah, and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail on an arrest warrant for violation of probation.
Jail Inspection
The annual Board of Health Inspection at the jail was completed March 8, 2023 by the Winneshiek County Board of Health. The Board of Health had the opportunity to learn about an upcoming remodel of the jail kitchen. Jail staff prepare and serve one hot lunch each day and two cold meals to inmates. Board members also had the opportunity to visualize the safety cell, which was referred to as “a great asset to the jail.” Members learned about services offered to inmates including county social services, telehealth services, counseling for inmates, jail diversion services and technology that inmates have access to.
Overall, the board reported the Winneshiek County Jail is a secure facility with dedicated staff who provide safe, appropriate and exceptional care to inmates and commended jail staff for their efforts. The full report is available online at: https://winneshiekcounty.iowa.gov/…/sheriff/jail-reports
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