Officers had previously received information from Winona Police Department Investigators that Vehicle was often driven by Rebecca Mae DeWitte, [DOB REDACTED] (“Defendant”), and that Defendant’s driver’s license was cancelled-inimical to public safety. Vehicle had several doors open, and Officers observed an adult female matching Defendant’s description moving items into the vehicle. Officers looked at Defendant’s booking photo to confirm her identification. They also confirmed Defendant’s driving status was cancelled-inimical to public safety.
Officers observed Defendant get into Vehicle and turn around in a driveway. Vehicle then drove eastbound. Officers followed Vehicle, and observed Vehicle turn right on a red light at an intersection where it was posted, “No turn on red.” Officers conducted a traffic stop of Vehicle. The sole occupant of Vehicle was Defendant. Officers confirmed Defendant’s identity with her Minnesota identification card. Defendant admitted driving the vehicle and admitted her driving status in Minnesota was not valid.
Officers informed Defendant that she was under arrest. Defendant was placed in handcuffs and secured in a squad car. Since Vehicle was parked in a no parking zone in a high traffic area, Officers determined Vehicle needed to be towed. Officers conducted an inventory search of Vehicle. Officers located two bags on the front passenger seat. Inside one of the bags, Officers located drug paraphernalia and two baggies containing crystal-like substances. Officers also located Defendant’s wallet and $1,100 in U. S. Currency in the other bag.
Officers field tested the substances in the two baggies. The first baggie field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 1.7 grams. The second baggie field tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl and weighed 0.8 grams. 2 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 11/3/2025 A search of Defendant’s criminal record showed five criminal convictions in Minnesota for possession of a controlled substance, and pending charges in LeSueur County for 3rd Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance (Court File No. ••-CR-••-••••). Defendant was transported to the Winona County Jail without incident.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49., intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
