Clinton Woman arrested

A Clinton woman was arrested after a criminal complaint says she fraudulently obtained a title for a vehicle in Scott County that was never manufactured.

According to the criminal complaint, the defendant, Jessica Lane, 37, applied for an Iowa title at the Scott County Treasurer’s Office on December 8, 2022. She gave them a bill of sale and fraudulent DC title saying she purchased a vehicle, a Land Rover, from Tiffany Simmons for $49,000. Lane was given a title correction notice to get a notarized bill of sale. She returned to the Treasurer’s Office on December 20, 2022 and was issued an Iowa title. Lane signed the application for title certifying under penalty of perjury that the information she gave was true and correct.

Jaguar Land Rover Limited later reported to the National Insurance Crime Bureau that the Land Rover with the VIN reported was invalid and never manufactured. Kelly Blue Book says a fair market value for this vehicle in Clinton with the same reported mileage as the title work ranges from $49,007 to $54,408 in a private party sale. The average is listed as $51,708.

Lane told officers the vehicle was bought by Lawrence Steeple and was to be a gift, as the two were to be married. She said she does not know the seller, Tiffany Simmons, and did not purchase the Land Rover from her for $49,000. She said she never saw the vehicle.

A warrant was issued for Lane’s arrest on January 22, according to court records. The warrant was served on January 23 and she was charged with felony first degree fraud. She was released on her own recognizance and has a preliminary hearing on February 11.