DUBUQUE, IA – On June 16, 2025, at 7:53 p.m., Jessica Marie Bartella, a 36-year-old female, was arrested at 9442 Noonan Street in Dubuque on a felony forgery charge, according to arrest records (AR 2025001310). The arrest was conducted by local authorities, with B.A. Roberts listed as the arresting officer.

In Iowa, forgery is defined as intentionally defrauding or attempting to defraud someone by using a “writing,” which includes any method of recording information, such as documents, contracts, or government-issued instruments like money. Forgery is classified as a Class D felony when the writing evidences an obligation or attempts to affect legal relations, such as a deed or will.

Sentencing Guidelines for Class D Felony

A Class D felony, the least serious felony in Iowa, carries a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a fine ranging from $1,025 to $10,245, plus a 15% surcharge. Judges have discretion to impose a sentence within these limits, considering factors like the defendant’s criminal history and the offense’s circumstances. For habitual offenders with two or more prior felony convictions, the maximum sentence increases to 15 years, with a mandatory minimum of 3 years before parole eligibility.

Bartella’s case is pending, and no additional details about the incident or her criminal history were released at the time of the arrest. The public is reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.