Two Arrested in Early-Morning Decorah Traffic Stop

Our newsroom runs on more than coffee and craft beer — it runs on you. Support Decorah News' local reporting today. The following arrests were reported by the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, Apr. 7, 2026: On April 5, 2026, A traffic stop at approximately 2:10 a.m. near Locust Road and College Drive in Decorah led to the arrest of two individuals. Deputies stopped a vehicle for expired registration and determined the driver, KODY LETTS, 35, of Winthrop, had a suspended Iowa driver's license. A passenger, RUBEN DEJESUS, 34, of Decorah, provided false identification to deputies. According to the official criminal complaint obtained by DecorahNews.com, the vehicle bore a Michigan license plate, which was later determined to be fraudulent. According to the complaint, Letts told deputies that he was purchasing the vehicle, but could not provide registration, insurance or a bill of sale. He also admitted that his Iowa driver's license was suspended. Winneshiek County K9 Drago was deployed and gave a positive indication, leading to a probable cause search. The complaint details the alleged findings from a black bag that Letts claimed as his, including a baggy of marijuana, a glass smoking pipe consistent with methamphetamine use, and a plastic container with white residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Court documents detail that Dejesus was found to be in possession of a firearm, which he admitted to concealing in the back seat. Deputies also reportedly located a methamphetamine pipe associated with him. Letts was arrested and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail on charges of third or subsequent possession of a controlled substance (aggravated misdemeanor), possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license suspended, fraudulent use of registration and failure to provide proof of financial liability. Dejesus was arrested and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine (Class D felony), person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons (serious misdemeanor), providing false identification information and interference with official acts. On April 2, 2026 HALEY HOFNER, 26, of Le Roy, Minnesota, turned herself in at the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office at approximately 6:13 p.m. Hofner was arrested on a warrant for failure to provide fingerprints as ordered and was booked into the Winneshiek County Jail. Your inbox, upgraded! Subscribe for free and enjoy handpicked stories, helpful advice, and local insights delivered weekly.