WEBSTER CITY — The Fort Dodge man who was arrested for multiple burglaries in Hamilton County filed written guilty pleas on some of the charges earlier this month.

Derek Ott, 43, was scheduled to be arraigned for some of the Hamilton County charges July 24 at the Hamilton County Courthouse in Webster City, but pleaded guilty to four charges on July 22.

Each guilty plea is for a separate incident.

Overall, he pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree burglary, Class D felonies; one count of possession of burglar tools, an aggravated misdemeanor; and fourth-degree theft, a serious misdemeanor.

He received suspended sentences in response to his guilty pleas.

In one case, Ott was arrested for allegedly burglarizing a swine farm in Hamilton County.

He was arrested by Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Alex Sharp when he was seen leaving an ag complex owned by Swine Farms Inc. at 1025 190th St. in Hamilton County on June 10.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Sharp, the deputy was running stationary radar while sitting at the end of the driveway of Swine Farms Inc.

“While I was sitting there, I observed headlights approaching my passenger door, coming down the driveway from the farm buildings. I knew that this location was popular for people to go to commit vandalism, burglary or narcotics violations.

“I exited my vehicle to make contact with the driver of the vehicle, identified as Derek Eugene Ott. Ott stated he was on the property to meet a female for sexual activity.

“I knew of Ott from previous cases.”

Sharp added, “A ‘No Trespassing’ sign is posted clearly at the only entrance into the property. Civilians entering this property without prior consent is also a biohazard, as the facility is housing pigs at this time.”

Ott pleaded guilty to the charge of third-degree burglary and agreed to a suspended five-year prison sentence.

In another case, he ransacked a white Ford F-150 pickup in the early morning of Jan. 1, 2024, according to online court records.

“At approximately 02:34 hours, an individual later identified as Mr. Ott was observed going through a white in color Ford F150 on the property for approximately 9 minutes burglarizing the vehicle,” the criminal complaint filed by Webster City Police Officer Dylan Rose stated. “10 minutes after going through the truck, Mr. Ott threw a large rock threw (sic) the glass entry door of 1941 James Street, Pagel Window & Door, where he proceeded to enter the property and steal approximately $900 in tools. Mr. Ott was on the property for a total of approximately 40 minutes. The damage to the door of the property is believed to be $600.”

In that case, he pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary and agreed to a suspended five-year prison sentence. His fourth-degree theft plea relates to this case as well. He agreed to a one-year suspended jail sentence.

Ott originally faced five counts in an incident from Jan. 28, 2024.

According to Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Rupiper, Ott “did use a screw driver to pry and force open the office door to 1930 290th.”

That property is registered to Iowa Select Farms, according to the Hamilton County Auditor’s online records.

“Once inside,” Rupiper added in the criminal complaint, “did go into the back maintenance room and caused damage while stealing tools. Did take numerous Dewalt tools, a welder, and K12 saw. Did have Derek Ott on video surveillance camera forcing the door and committing the

burglary. Derek left a muddy shoe print mark on the floor as he entered the office.

On 02/05/2024, I arrested Derek on a burglary warrant from a burglary he completed in Webster City. Derek was wearing the same boots and the bottom tread matched the mark on the floor at the burglary.”

Ott pleaded guilty to possession of burglar tools in that case and agreed to a two-year suspended prison sentence.

Due to the felony convictions, Ott is now prohibited from owning or possessing firearms, the court stated in a filing July 25.