Fargo (trfnews.i234.me) — Former Cass County sheriff’s deputy Carson Theodore Quam has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. The sentence follows his guilty plea to five counts involving child sex abuse material.
Judge Daniel Narum handed down the sentence on Wednesday, March 18, in Cass County District Court. Quam, 27, of McHenry, North Dakota, pleaded guilty in December. Five other counts were dismissed.
Judge Orders Immediate Custody
The judge also ordered Quam into custody on Monday. That move rejected part of the plea deal. The agreement would have let him stay free during a likely appeal.
In court, Narum said children shown in these files are harmed twice. They are harmed when the files are created. They are harmed again when the files are viewed.
Court records said Quam possessed the files from September 2021 through September 2024. The material showed children between ages 2 and 14. Investigators found hundreds of files on a cellphone, a USB drive, and a television.
Case Reached Into Law Enforcement
Quam worked for most of that period as a deputy in Cass County. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office hired him as a patrol officer in December 2022. He resigned on Sept. 17, 2024, as investigators examined the allegations.
Charges were filed in early December 2024. The case was handled outside the usual local process. The Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office declared a conflict. All Cass County judges also recused themselves.
Assistant Grand Forks County State’s Attorney Megan Kvasager Essig prosecuted the case. Narum, a Richland County judge, presided over the matter.
Defense Seeks Appeal
Defense attorney Luke Heck asked for a shorter sentence. He said Quam had no criminal history. He also said Quam sought treatment for mental health issues and accepted responsibility.
Quam apologized to his family, friends, local residents, and law enforcement agencies. He said he broke public trust and deserved punishment for his actions.
Quam is expected to appeal a ruling on the search warrant used in the case. Narum denied a motion in June that sought to suppress that evidence. Readers can follow public court records through the North Dakota Court System.
In a release, the sheriff’s office said the case was painful for the community and the victims. It also thanked investigators with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation for their work.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Yeah he do it again they always do
They think they do what they want when they get a badge
Thats why they want a badge so they can break the law an get aeay with it
This is fucked up, the judge and everyone thats okay with this is fucked up
18 months isn’t enough
He must of been bullied when he was younger
His nuts should have been in a jar before trial.
Now that he has plead guilty, a little piano wire and a couple ATVs should solve the problems.