CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Former West Fargo principal expected to plead guilty to child sex abuse charges

David GeorgeFARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – A former West Fargo school principal is scheduled to plead guilty to federal child sexual abuse charges. David George is expected to admit to taking a 10-year-old boy to South Dakota where he molested him in October 2022. He’s also expected to plead guilty to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material between January of…

Fargo man arrested on suspicion of possession of child sex abuse materials

Fargo Police using a search warrant arrested a man at a residence in the 500 block of 31st Avenue North Wednesday night

FARGO, N.D. (KFGO/KVRR) – Fargo Police using a search warrant arrested a man at a residence in the 500 block of 31st Avenue North Wednesday night. During a search of the residence, officers found child sexual abuse materials. Joel John Schumacher, 55, of Fargo, was arrested on suspicion of possessing certain prohibited materials and booked into the Cass County Jail….

Attorney general says no charges will be filed in child sex abuse investigation

Their hope was to potentially be able to prosecute sexual crimes.

FARGO (KVRR) – Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says he has completed an 18 month investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse by members of the North Dakota Catholic dioceses. The investigation into the child sexual abuse allegations by members of the Diocese of Fargo and Bismarck started in June 2019. “The Dioceses had released a list of the names of…

Hundreds show up for second annual “Ride With Natalee” motorcycle ride

The event is in support of 5-year-old Natalee Strubbe

WEST FARGO, N.D. — Hundreds of bikers from across the metro came out in support of a courageous young girl Sunday afternoon. The second annual Ride With Natalee: Against Sexual Abuse motorcycle ride kicked off at Harley-Davidson of Fargo. The event is in support of Natalee Strubbe, a 5-year-old girl who was raped multiple times by a teenage boy last…

‘Stand to Protect’ working to prevent child sexual abuse in Cass & Clay counties

The local organization is aiming to end what some call an invisible health crisis

FARGO, N.D. — It’s a shocking statistic that’s hard to hear. According to the National Children’s Advocacy Center, one in 10 children will be sexually abused before turning 18. In Cass and Clay counties, that’s more than 5,000 kids impacted by sexual abuse. Growing up in rural Cass County, young Leslie Brunette was accompanied by fear and manipulation for years….

Local organization trains community on preventing child sexual abuse

Stand to Protect launched its education pilot program in 2019

FARGO, N.D. — Some say child sexual abuse is an invisible health crisis happening all around us. Last year alone, the Red River Children’s Advocacy Center conducted more than 350 forensic interviews with children who were sexually abused in the region. According to local experts, only 16 percent of victims report their sexual abuse during childhood, and the effects of…

Former Students Reach Settlement with Theater Company

The theater company faced lawsuits by 16 former students.

MINNEAPOLIS–Nine remaining lawsuits filed by former students who say they were abused by employees of the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis decades ago have reached settlements. Attorney Jeff Anderson plans to announce the settlements at a news conference Friday. The theater company faced lawsuits by 16 former students who say they were abused by former employees in the 1970s and…

West Fargo Man Accused Of Sexually Abusing Child For Years

Police were contacted and the girl was interviewed by child sexual abuse counselors

WEST FARGO, N.D. — A West Fargo man has been charged with the ongoing sexual abuse of a child. 52-year-old Valentin Valenzuela is accused of molesting a girl for a number of years. Police were contacted and the girl was interviewed by child sexual abuse counselors. They believe the abuse started about six years ago. The charge carries a maximum sentence…

Former Police Chief Enters Alford Plea To Child Sexual Abuse Charges

James Watson Has Been Charged In At Least Three Counties

A former LaMoure police chief has entered an Alford plea to multiple child sexual abuse charges in Hettinger and Stark counties. 52-year-old James Watson’s plea is not an admission of guilt but he acknowledges there is enough evidence for a conviction. A jury in Golden Valley County last month convicted him of continuous sexual abuse of a child. The charges…