Federal lawsuit filed against former deputy, sheriff and Cass Co. over alleged sexual misconduct

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) —  A Cass County woman has filed a federal lawsuit against former Cass County Deputy Darin Viken.

According to court records, Latisha Lenius is claiming multiple incidents of sexual intimidation, sexual abuse, and sexual assault by Viken while she was ordered to participate in the 24/7 Sobriety Program.

She claims the incidents occurred between November 2023 and July 2024.

Lenius says Viken would make her expose her breasts and vagina in a corner of the room that was not captured by security cameras.

She says she brought her 6-year-old son along for one of the check-ins and says Viken said, “I suppose you brought him so I wouldn’t harass you”.

Cass County and Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner are also named in the federal lawsuit.

She claims Viken took advantage of flaws in the 24/7 Sobriety Program under Jahner and Cass County.

Viken was terminated by Sheriff Jahner in July 2024.

This past July, Viken was given five days of home monitoring, a year of probation and 50 hours of community service after admitting to harassing six women in the program.

Jahner at the time said the sentence was extremely lenient and could cause distrust in the criminal justice system.

Lenius was ordered to participate in the program as a part of her pretrial release conditions as well as her criminal punishment and sentences for DUI violations.

She is demanding a jury trial.