UPDATE: Jury acquits former Fargo school employee accused of exchanging nude pics with student

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Peterson cried after receiving the verdict of not guilty. After a week-long jury trial, Peterson was accused of exchanging nude pictures with at the time a 16-year-old male student from Davies High School.

“You can’t have this both ways it’s either this giant conspiracy that has somehow managed to loop her best friend into or Ashley’s the victim,” said Ashlei Neufeld, Prosecution.

The defense used their closing arguments to accuse the student of having no credibility and consistency in his story.

“But not only does he lie on Snapchat, he lied under oath to all of us. Not a minor anymore, is an adult. He stood in front of the court and he took the oath. An oath punishable by the penalty of perjury,” said Adam Justinger, Defense Attorney.

In the prosecution’s closing arguments they instructed the jury to ignore the sex of the two individuals involved and that they proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

“It is irrelevant that Ms. Peterson is a female teacher and this is a male student. It is irrelevant that wanted to participate in it. The law has been given to you. Each element has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt and you are required to render a verdict of guilty,” said Neufeld.

After closing arguments, the jury went into deliberations for about 4 hours before they reached a verdict. Peterson stood emotionless as each charge was read with a not guilty verdict, but soon broke down as they adjourned.

“Obviously we would like to thank the jury for their time. We know that they took a lot of attention to this matter. We believe that they got the decision right,” said Justinger.

————-

FARGO (KVRR) – A Cass County jury has acquitted a former Fargo Public Schools employee who was accused of exchanging nudes with a student.

Thirty-three-year-old Ashley Peterson was fired from her role as a positive behavior technician at Davies High School in October 2023.

Prosecutors claimed she messaged a 16-year-old male student on Snapchat over several months, and their conversations became sexual.

Peterson is also the former nanny for Fargo Schools Superintendent Rupak Gandhi. Gandhi fired Peterson shortly after she was fired from Fargo Schools.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.