DUBUQUE, IA — A Dubuque woman was taken into custody Friday morning on a felony warrant related to a theft investigation involving bad checks.

Rebecca Ann Cornwell, 43, was arrested by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department on April 24, 2026, at 770 Iowa Street. She faces a charge of Theft in the 2nd Degree, a Class D Felony.

The arrest stems from a criminal complaint filed by the Dubuque Police Department regarding an incident dated November 1, 2025. Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued by Judge Mark T. Hostager in February 2026.

According to court records:

• Initial Appearance: Cornwell appeared before Judge Robert J. Richter on the day of her arrest.

• Bond: Bond has been set at $2,000 cash.

• Next Hearing: A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 4, 2026, at 10:50 AM.

• Legal Representation: Cornwell has filed an application for court-appointed counsel.

Under Iowa law, 2nd Degree Theft involves property valued between $1,500 and $10,000. As a Class D Felony, a conviction can carry a sentence of up to five years in prison.

As with all criminal cases, a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court