Witkowski Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping

Jay Witkowski completed a change of plea hearing on Jan. 16. He appeared before Judge Yvonne Laird in Valley County District Court. According to Valley County Attorney Dylan Jensen, Witkowski plead guilty to the offense of aggravated kidnapping. He then was placed under oath and then provided the court with a factual basis to support his plea.

“Witkowski acknowledged he and another inmate kidnapped a Valley County Detention Officer by using force,” Jensen told the Courier, “after which they took her keys to make an unsuccessful escape attempt.”

Sentencing in the case has been expedited and set for Jan. 29. Jensen added, “Witkowski has been detained following his sentencing for the homicide of Evelynn Garcia, which will shorten the time needed to prepare a pre-sentence investigation report.”