DUBUQUE, IA – On June 16, 2025, at 7:53 p.m., Jessica Marie Bartella, a 36-year-old woman, was taken into custody at her residence located at 9442 Noonan Street in Dubuque. She faces a felony forgery charge, as per arrest records (AR 2025001310). The arrest was executed by local law enforcement, with officer B.A. Roberts identified as the arresting officer.
In the state of Iowa, forgery is characterized as the act of intentionally defrauding or attempting to defraud another party by utilizing a “writing.” This encompasses various forms of information recording, such as documents, contracts, or legal instruments issued by the government, including currency. Forgery is categorized as a Class D felony if the writing signifies an obligation or seeks to alter legal relations, exemplified by deeds or wills.
Sentencing Guidelines for a Class D Felony
A Class D felony, recognized as the least severe felony classification in Iowa, may result in a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, alongside a financial penalty ranging from $1,025 to $10,245, in addition to a 15% surcharge. Judges retain the authority to determine sentences within these parameters, factoring in the defendant’s previous criminal background and the specifics surrounding the offense. For individuals with a history of habitual offending, comprising two or more prior felony convictions, the potential maximum sentence escalates to 15 years, with a mandatory minimum of 3 years before eligibility for parole.
As of now, Bartella’s case is still ongoing, and further information regarding the incident or her criminal record has not been divulged following the arrest. It is essential to recognize that an arrest does not equate to a conviction, and all individuals maintain a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a judicial setting.
