FAYETTE COUNTY — A Wisconsin man arrested earlier this year after deputies received multiple reports of a vehicle in a Fayette County ditch has entered a guilty plea in the case, court records show, and this is not his first brush with drunk driving here.
According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called at approximately 6:55 p.m. on January 6, 2026, to the area near the intersection of 230th Street and V Avenue after receiving multiple reports of a vehicle in the ditch.
After further investigation, deputies determined that Jamie Alan Ruth, 50, of Wisconsin, had been operating while under the influence, authorities said.
Ruth was arrested and charged with Operating While Intoxicated 2nd Offense and Interference with Official Acts. He was transported to the Fayette County Jail, where he was held pending an initial appearance.
Court records in State of Iowa vs. Jamie Alan Ruth show a waiver of rights and plea of guilty was filed April 27, 2026. An order accepting the plea was filed April 28, 2026.
A plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on May 20, 2026, according to court filings.
Court records also show Ruth was previously convicted in Iowa of Operating While Under the Influence 1st Offense in Chickasaw County. In that case, State of Iowa vs. Jamie Alan Ruth, the offense date was listed as February 11, 2023, and the case was created February 12, 2023, after an arrest by the Chickasaw county sheriff’s office.
Records show Ruth entered a guilty plea or default in that case on November 28, 2023. The OWI 1st Offense charge, a serious misdemeanor, was adjudicated as guilty through a negotiated or voluntary plea.
The Chickasaw County case also originally included six counts of Serious Injury by Vehicle, all Class D felonies. Court records show those six counts were dismissed by the court. He ended up paying Iowa courts $2037.50 and spent 7 days in jail.