Iowa man accused of planting drugs, weapon in estranged wife’s vehicle

CLIVE, Iowa — An Iowa man is accused of planting drugs and weapons in his estranged wife’s vehicle in an effort to gain custody of their children, authorities said.

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Daniel Roy Dunham, 42, of West Des Moines, is charged with child endangerment-injury, stalking-dangerous weapon, and drug possession and delivery, according to Dallas County online court records. Bail was set for $10,000, KCCI reported.

According to the Clive Police Department, Dunham planted a loaded handgun and 7 ounces of cocaine in his wife’s vehicle between Aug. 30, 2020, and Nov. 10, 2020. Dunham then called authorities in an attempt to have her arrested, KCCI reported.

According to arrest records, Dunham’s two 5-year-old children were in the vehicle and could have accessed the drugs or the weapon. Court documents allege that Dunham placed a GPS device on his wife and slashed the car’s tires.

“All of the defendant’s actions were done in an attempt to discredit his wife, so that he could gain favor in a child custody dispute,” the Clive Police Department stated in a news release. “His actions were not only illegal, but exposed his children to potential harm, beyond that of a divorce. This a prime example of a civil matter spiraling into criminal activity.”

Dunham has been ordered to have no contact with his estranged wife or their minor children, KCCI reported. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 8, according to online court records.

Cox Media Group