VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The following is a news release by the Valley City Public School District regarding the police investigation of a man facing charges  of possession of prohibited materials.

Superintendent Josh Johnson said, we want to address a recent media release from the Valley City Police Department regarding an ongoing investigation involving the possession of illegal digital materials by an individual in our community.

At this time, we want to reassure our families and staff that there is no indication that any students from our schools have been identified as victims in this investigation. We are actively coordinating with School Resource Officer (SRO) Sean Hagen, the Valley City Police Department, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and Barnes County State’s Attorney Tonya Duffy as the investigation continues.

Our primary concern remains and always is the safety and well-being of our students. If any student is identified as a victim, we are fully prepared to provide appropriate supports and counseling services.

Additionally, we would like to raise awareness of the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating deepfakes—manipulated images and videos—which is a concern not only in this investigation but also across various forms of digital media. These technologies can be used in harmful and exploitative ways, and it’s important for students, parents, and educators to stay informed.

For an informative resource about AI and how it’s being used—including potential dangers and how to talk about them with young people—we encourage you to watch and share the following video:

If you have any questions, concerns, or relevant information related to this matter, please feel free to contact us at the school at 701.845.0483.