Fargo Ex-Deputy Loses Child Abuse Material Appeal

FARGO, N.D. (trfnews.i234.me) — The North Dakota Supreme Court has upheld Carson Quam’s conviction on five counts.

Quam is a former Cass County Sheriff’s Office deputy. He was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material.

The court issued its decision on July 23, 2026. Justices rejected Quam’s challenge to the search of his home.

Court Rejects Search Warrant Challenge

Quam argued investigators lacked probable cause. He also claimed the warrant did not connect possible evidence to his residence.

The Supreme Court disagreed. It ruled Quam’s statements gave the issuing judge a strong basis for the warrant.

Court records show Quam spoke with state investigators in September 2024. He admitted using a TOR browser to hide online activity.

Quam said he searched for sexual content involving girls he believed were 15 or 16 years old.

He also admitted viewing similar websites through a television in his basement.

Investigators later examined Quam’s work-issued phone. They found no sign that a TOR browser had been installed.

That finding suggested another device was used for the hidden browsing.

The court said the full circumstances supported probable cause. Quam’s statements also tied the suspected activity to his home.

The ruling affirmed a lower court’s decision denying Quam’s request to suppress evidence from the search.

Quam entered a conditional guilty plea in December 2025. That plea allowed him to challenge the suppression ruling on appeal.

Cass County District Court Judge Daniel Narum sentenced Quam in March 2026.

Quam received 18 months in prison. The sentence will be followed by three years of supervised probation.

He must also register as a sex offender. He was ordered to complete sex offender treatment.

Before sentencing, Quam apologized for violating public trust.

He described his conduct as “negligent, disgusting, grotesque, and heinous.”

Narum said child sexual abuse material causes continuing harm. Victims are harmed again whenever images or videos are viewed.

The judge said demand for the material helps sustain its production. That demand contributes to the continued abuse of children.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said Quam left the agency during the investigation.

Information about state investigators is available through the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

Suspected online child exploitation can be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.