Snapchat Child Abuse Investigation Concludes in Fargo: No Charges Yet Revealed

Investigation into Snapchat Image Sharing at Fargo High School Concludes

FARGO — A year-long investigation into the circulation of explicit images among students at Fargo’s Davies High School, initially prompted by concerns over child sex abuse material shared on Snapchat, has officially concluded, according to the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office and the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The investigation, which began last April, involved the seizure of over 50 electronic devices from students. Authorities executed two search warrants at the school, collecting 24 cellphones on September 22, 2025, and an additional 30 the following week.

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley addressed the public last fall, emphasizing the impact on the young people involved. “These young people are having their privacy violated in ways you can only imagine,” Wrigley said. “They are victims, and they are suffering.” He noted that some students were compelled to change schools and seek counseling due to harassment stemming from the shared images.

The probe uncovered a network of Snapchat accounts involved in receiving and, in some instances, sharing the images, with some material created using artificial intelligence. Wrigley previously stated that the initial report stemmed from an image shared by a Davies High School student of child sexual abuse material created with reference to a middle school child attending a school in West Fargo. The image was believed to be two years old.

On Tuesday, Wrigley’s office issued a statement confirming the conclusion of the investigation. “The Attorney General’s Office and the BCI have overseen and conducted this investigation. All investigative materials have been submitted to the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office for their charging review and determination,” the statement read.

Cass County State’s Attorney Kim Hegvik indicated that legal restrictions surrounding juvenile cases prevent her office from disclosing any details regarding potential charges. “In North Dakota, juvenile cases, records and court proceedings are confidential and not open to the public,” Hegvik said. “I will not be providing further comment at this time.”

Fargo Public Schools spokeswoman AnnMarie Campbell stated that, due to student privacy laws, the district is unable to share information regarding any disciplinary action taken as a result of the investigation. However, she noted that Fargo Public Schools upholds eligibility rules for student-athletes as set by the North Dakota High School Activities Association, and that disciplinary consequences are issued when students violate those rules or the school district’s student activity handbook.

Wrigley previously indicated that among the state statutes being investigated were those related to the unlawful creation, possession, and dissemination of sexually expressive images; promoting and directing an obscene sexual performance by a minor; promoting obscenity to minors; terrorizing; simple assault; and conspiracy. He acknowledged that a significant number of the students investigated were juveniles, but also noted that some were 18 years of age.

Disseminating images of people depicted in a sexual act is a crime in North Dakota, classified as a Class C felony under the state’s Century Code, including sending explicit material to another person.

As of Wednesday, February 25, 2026, The Forum reported that no criminal cases related to the investigation have been filed in Cass County.