An Ottumwa woman is facing a serious misdemeanor charge after authorities allege she used an address where she did not live to obtain a driver’s license and renew her vehicle registration
On July 5, a warrant was served on 42-year-old Abbey Dunham of Ottumwa by the Iowa Department of Transportation.
According to a criminal complaint, on June 11 Dunham attempted to renew the registration for her vehicle at the Wapello County Treasurer’s Office. Court documents state the renewal was denied because she could not provide a valid residential address. Investigators allege Dunham told staff she was living out of her vehicle and that no family members would allow her to use their address.
Court records allege that later the same day, Dunham renewed her driver’s license at the Ottumwa Driver’s License Service Center using an address on South Ward Street in Ottumwa. Authorities say she then returned to the Treasurer’s Office and successfully renewed her vehicle registration using the newly issued driver’s license.
According to court documents, law enforcement later contacted the owners of the South Ward Street residence. They reportedly told investigators that Dunham had never lived at the address, they did not know her, and they had not given her permission to use their address.
Dunham is being held in the Wapello County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.
She is charged with false application for a driver’s license or identification card, a serious misdemeanor.
Source: Wapello County District Court criminal complaint and Wapello County Jail records.
