Stoughton woman arrested in Dubuque for defrauding a credit union

Authorities said a Wisconsin woman defrauded a credit union by selling a vehicle that was delinquent on payments. 56-year-old Melissa A. Swenson of Stoughton was arrested Wednesday afternoon at the Dubuque Law Enforcement Center on a warrant charging two counts of first-degree theft. Court documents state that Swenson sold a vehicle for $15,000 to a couple from DeWitt, Iowa, on Aug. 15, 2024, in Dubuque. Avestar Credit Union, formerly known as Members First Credit Union, held the rights to the vehicle as a security interest. Swenson sold the vehicle knowing a loan on it had not been paid. As of Jan. 9, the payoff amount on the loan is $40,082.