Fargo Man Gets 25 Years, 8 to Serve in Child Sex Case

FARGO, N.D. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fargo man has been sentenced to 25 years after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a child.

John Doe Tarpeh, 29, was convicted of gross sexual imposition, a Class AA felony.

The case involved a child younger than 15, according to court records.

Cass County District Court Judge Stephanie Hayden imposed the sentence on October 26, 2026.

Tarpeh must serve eight years in prison, with the remaining 17 years suspended.

He will also face five years of supervised probation following his release.

DNA Evidence Connected Suspect to Assault

The conviction stems from a sexual assault reported on June 30, 2024, in Fargo.

According to court documents, the offense occurred at The Arbors apartment complex.

Investigators collected forensic evidence during the investigation.

The evidence was later examined by the North Dakota Office of Attorney General Crime Laboratory.

Laboratory testing produced a DNA match linked to Tarpeh.

The match came through the State DNA Index System, which maintains DNA profiles used in criminal investigations.

Investigators used the forensic findings to connect Tarpeh to the reported assault.

Authorities later sought additional DNA samples as part of their investigation.

Formal criminal charges were filed in March 2025.

Fargo Man Pleads Guilty to Class AA Felony

Tarpeh ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of gross sexual imposition.

The charge involved an adult engaging in a sexual act with a victim younger than 15.

Under North Dakota Century Code 12.1-20-03, certain sexual offenses involving children are classified as Class AA felonies.

These offenses carry some of the state’s most serious criminal penalties.

The guilty plea resulted in a criminal conviction and a prison sentence.

Fargo Man Gets 25 Years, 8 to Serve in Child Sex Case

Eight Years in Prison, 17 Years Suspended

The October 26 criminal judgment outlines the punishment imposed by the court.

Tarpeh received a 25-year sentence with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

However, the judge suspended 17 years of that sentence.

That leaves eight years to serve under the court’s sentencing order.

The judgment also requires five years of supervised probation after incarceration.

Tarpeh must complete sex offender treatment and comply with the court’s supervision requirements.

Strict Restrictions Following Prison Release

The court imposed several conditions governing Tarpeh’s conduct after his release.

Those conditions prohibit contact with minors and restrict access to places primarily visited by children.

Tarpeh is also prohibited from possessing certain children’s items under the probation conditions.

The sentence requires him to register as a sex offender.

Registration information is maintained through the North Dakota Sex Offender Registry.

Violating probation conditions could result in further court action.

Public Records and Corrections Information

The criminal judgment was entered in Cass County District Court on October 26, 2026.

Readers can search available court information through the North Dakota Courts Public Access System.

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation also provides a public inmate lookup.

Additional reporting on the case is available from WDAY Radio.

The conviction concludes the reported criminal case with a prison sentence and court-ordered supervision.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.