https://www.ottumwa.us/departments/police/

Ottumwa Police Department, 330 W. 2nd Street, Ottumwa, IA (2026)

05/22/2026

Update: She has been located, thank you to everyone in the community for your help.

Issued by: Investigator Caleb Mitchell
Date: May 22, 2026

Missing Juvenile Female

On May 21st, 2026, at approximately 7:58 PM, 12-year-old Anshelina Lubin of Ottumwa was reported missing to the Ottumwa Police Department by family members. Family members advised they have not seen Lubin since May 20th, 2026. Lubin was last seen in the area of Bonita Ave. and Clearview St., Ottumwa, Iowa. A photo of Lubin is included below.

Lubin is described as a Black female, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, light colored pants, and white shoes.

If anyone has information regarding Lubin’s whereabouts, please contact the Ottumwa Police Department at 641-683-0661.

05/18/2026

Issued by: Sgt. Cody McCoy

Date: 5/18/2026

On 5/17/2026 at approximately 9:19 PM, Ottumwa Police Officers were dispatched to the intersection of US Highway 34 and Roemer Avenue for an accident. Responding officers located two vehicles involved in the accident.

Initial information gathered at the scene indicated that a 2005 Mini Cooper operated by Ashlin Knuth (age 18 of Ottumwa, Iowa) was traveling westbound on Roemer Avenue. A 2005 Dodge Dakota operated by Nathaniel Hart (age 21 of Ottumwa, Iowa) was traveling northbound on US Highway 34. The accident caused the front of Hart’s vehicle to impact the driver’s side of Knuth’s vehicle. Ottumwa Fire Department and ORMICS personnel extricated Knuth and an 18-year-old male passenger from Knuth’s vehicle and transported them to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center. Hart was uninjured in the accident. Knuth later died from the injuries she sustained from the accident.

The accident is currently under investigation.

05/05/2026

Issued by: Sergeant Cody McCoy
Date: 5/5/2026

Ottumwa Police Department to partner with the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR), Alcohol & Tax Compliance Division to conduct underage alcohol compliance checks.

Ottumwa, Iowa (May 5th, 2026) – The Ottumwa Police Department has partnered with the IDR to conduct underage alcohol compliance checks to reduce and deter underage alcohol sales.
The program is an enforcement effort facilitated by the Ottumwa Police Department showing a commitment to reduce underage alcohol sales by holding employees and liquor-licensed establishments accountable.

IDR offers the Iowa Program for Alcohol Compliance (I-PACT) free training for those employed at a liquor-licensed location. The overall goal of I-PACT is increased voluntary compliance with the state’s alcohol laws through education and enforcement. The core objective of the program is to prevent illegal sales of alcohol by educating alcohol sellers/servers and increasing awareness of changes in Iowa’s liquor laws.

I-PACT focuses on preventing underage sales by providing participants with education and tools to prevent underage sales. Those employees who successfully complete the free online training will become I-PACT certified. This allows the liquor-licensed establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty, if the employee sells or serves alcohol to someone underage. “I-PACT training is a great way for alcohol establishment employees to prepare themselves to refuse illegal alcohol sales,” Ottumwa Police Chief Chad Farrington said. “The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.”

Officers will be conducting underage alcohol compliance checks at liquor-licensed establishments. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy alcohol products. Employees who make the illegal sale will be cited.

Criminal penalties for an employee selling alcohol to someone underage is $645 and $1,925, if the illegal sale is by the licensee or permittee (Iowa Code 123.49(2)(h).

“By partnering with the IDR, we hope to educate liquor-licensed employees and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community,” Chief Farrington said. “Our agency is committed to keeping alcohol products out of the hands of underage persons in Iowa.”

To take the I-PACT training, or search certification records, go to I-PACT.

04/21/2026

Issued by: Lt. Jason Bell
Date: April 21, 2026

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at approximately 5:35 a.m., the Ottumwa Police Department received a 911 call advising a male had been shot at 333 Evergreen in Ottumwa, Iowa. Officers from the Ottumwa Police Department and the Wapello County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene and found a male victim, identified as Jeremy Ray Showalter, age 45, of 333 Evergreen, with a gunshot wound.

Showalter was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Heath Center for treatment. Showalter died from his injuries sustained in the shooting.

Agents and Crime Scene Technicians from the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation were requested to assist with the investigation and the processing of the crime scene. Tactical Officers from the Iowa State Patrol also responded to Ottumwa to assist in the search for the suspect.

At approximately 4:22 p.m., officers arrested Michael Joe Johnson, age 24, of Sigourney, Iowa, in relation to this incident. Johnson was charged with the following crimes:

• Murder in the 1st Degree, a Class “A” Felony
• Burglary 1st Degree, a Class “B” Felony

Even though an arrest has been made, the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding this incident they are requested to contact the Ottumwa Police Department. There are no ongoing threats to the public regarding this incident.

Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

04/16/2026

Scam emails are sent out every day, they can come from trusted sources and even law enforcement. In today’s world unfortunately anyone can be hacked, use caution when opening emails. If the email seems strange or out of the ordinary for the sender, don’t click on anything! Reach out to the sender using a different platform to confirm the email.

04/14/2026

The Ottumwa Police Department would like to thank the Ottumwa Walmart employees for stopping by with drinks and snacks to help keep our officers fueled between calls. 🚔🥤🍪

We appreciate the continued support and the great working relationship we have had with the Ottumwa store over the years. Thank you, Walmart Ottumwa, for your generosity and for supporting our officers!

04/09/2026

Issued by: Lt. Jason Bell
Date: 04-09-2026

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the Ottumwa Police Department started an investigation after receiving a report of inappropriate messaging taking place involving a male and juvenile female who resides in Ottumwa. As a result, three females were identified to have been sexually abused while they were under the age of 18.

On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the Ottumwa Police Department executed a search warrant at 629 Blake Street in Ottumwa. Also, on this date Ottumwa Police arrested Darrin Leroy Hill, age 59, of 629 Blake Street, Ottumwa, in connection with this investigation. Hill was charged with the following crimes.

• S*xual Abuse 2nd Degree, of a Child (7 Counts), Class “B” Felonies
• S*xual Abuse 3rd Degree, by Force (2 Counts), Class “C” Felonies
• Continuous S*x Abuse of a Child, a Class “B” Felony
• Grooming, a Class “D” Felony
• S*xual Exploitation of a Minor, (2 Counts), Class “C” Felonies
• Lascivious Conduct with a Minor, an Aggravated Misdemeanor
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Hill is being held in the Wapello County Jail with no bond currently.

Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

03/26/2026

Issued by: Sgt. Cody McCoy
Date: 3/26/2026

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and it’s time to turn awareness into action. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with the Central Iowa Traffic Safety Task Force (CITSTF), and law enforcement across the state April 6-10 to enforce Iowa's Hands-Free Driving Law. The goal of this project is to educate drivers about the importance of driving distraction-free and to help drivers comply with the law going forward.

Iowa's Hands-Free Driving Law went into effect with a warning period on July 1, 2025, and citations began being issued by law enforcement on January 1, 2026. Since January 1, 2026, over 2,400 citations and over 1,900 warnings have been issued. The law prohibits the use of electronic devices beyond a single touch while driving unless they are used in a hands-free mode. The passing of this law is a key factor that contributed to the historic low number of traffic fatalities recorded in 2025.

With so many ways to go hands-free, there's a solution for every device and every vehicle. Some of the options to go hands-free include using voice commands, speaker phone, AUX cords, Bluetooth, or phone mounts.

Now a moving violation in Iowa, penalties for violating this law (Iowa Code 321.276) include a fine of $170. By enforcing this law and bringing awareness to the dangers of distracted driving, we hope to save lives and increase safety on Iowa roads.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce death and injury on Iowa roads using federally funded grants

03/10/2026

Issued by: Sgt. Cody McCoy
March 10th, 2026

Safe Driving Takes More Than Luck This St. Patrick's Day!

Des Moines, Iowa - The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) wants drivers to remember: Safe Driving Takes More Than Luck.

St. Patrick’s Day is known for its themed celebrations, but all of the parades and festivities often lead to higher levels of alcohol consumption. While most Iowans celebrate safely, impaired driving is still a present danger, especially around holidays. Last March, 148 crashes and five fatalities* listed impairment as a contributing factor. It takes more than luck to stay safe on the road- it takes safe and smart decisions.

To help Iowans plan ahead and stay safe, Doll Distributing is offering a $10 Uber voucher through their Decide to Ride program. GTSB supports this program by raising awareness and sharing resources for sober rides. The voucher will be active March 14-17, 2026, in the state of Iowa, and will be capped at 1,000 redemptions.

GTSB is encouraging law enforcement partners to conduct their own enforcement projects in their communities during this holiday to deter impaired driving and ensure everyone can celebrate safely.

“Planning ahead is essential so that a day of fun doesn’t turn into a tragic event due to one decision. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use a rideshare service. It’s that easy to keep yourself and others safe," says GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes. "If you're on the road and see a driver that may be impaired, don't hesitate to call and report it to law enforcement. It might be the call that saves someone's life."

St. Patrick’s Day events and celebrations also tend to attract increased pedestrian traffic. GTSB also reminds drivers to stay alert and watch for pedestrians, especially in crowded areas. If you’re on foot, be sure to cross streets in well-lit areas, use the crosswalks, and stay alert for vehicles.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.

Source: Iowa Crash Analysis Tool

02/06/2026

Issued by: Sgt. Cody McCoy
Date: 02/06/2026

Ottumwa Police Department to partner with Iowa Department of Revenue for To***co, Alternative Ni****ne and V***r Product Education and Enforcement.

Ottumwa, Iowa, February 6th, 2026 – The Ottumwa Police Department has taken a pledge to keep to***co, alternative ni****ne and v***r products out of the hands of Ottumwa underage persons.

Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with Iowa Department of Revenue to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s to***co, alternative ni****ne and v***r product laws. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide to***co compliance rate has grown to exceed 90 percent. By participating in the program, the Ottumwa Police Department has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course, then pass an exam, will become I-PLEDGE-certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty, if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale.

“I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal to***co, alternative ni****ne and v***r product sales,” Sergeant Cody McCoy said. “The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.”

The Ottumwa Police Department will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy to***co, alternative ni****ne and v***r products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot.

Criminal penalties for selling to***co, alternative ni****ne and v***r products to a minor include a $135 fine for a first offense, a $325 fine for a second offense, and a $645 fine for third, and subsequent, offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.

“By partnering with the Iowa Department of Revenue, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community,” Sergeant Cody McCoy said. “Moreover, we pledge to help keep to***co, alternative ni****ne and v***r products out of the hands of underage persons in Iowa.”

To take the I-PLEDGE training, or search certification records, go to revenue.iowa.gov.

Ottumwa Police Department

05/22/2026

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