Grand Forks County (trfnews.i234.me) — Former Police Officer Drops Bombshell Lawsuit Alleging Stalking, Corruption & Retaliation!
A lawsuit shaking the Grand Forks Police Department to its core has just been filed by Carrie Sell, a former officer who claims she was wrongfully fired after reporting disturbing misconduct by fellow officer Benjamin Wiebolt—her alleged stalker.
Sell, who filed the complaint in federal court on March 5, accuses the city and multiple police officials of negligent hiring, gender discrimination, and retaliation after she brought forward serious concerns about Wiebolt’s behavior. She says her termination has derailed her career and forced her to flee the state for her safety.
“I feel compelled to bring my story to light in hopes of sparking change,” Sell stated.
Shocking Allegations of Stalking & Harassment
According to the lawsuit, Wiebolt used remote access to her home security cameras, followed her to the gym, and even obtained a membership at her new gym after she switched locations to escape him. He allegedly ignored a department-issued no-contact order, trailed her on nights out with friends, and manipulated the situation to appear as the victim.
Sell claims that instead of protecting her, the department turned against her. She was placed under a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) after their breakup and later subjected to a bogus internal investigation that led to her firing.
The City’s Sudden Move to Fire Wiebolt—A Cover-Up?
Sell’s lawsuit alleges that the city ignored her complaints for months, only moving to fire Wiebolt after her legal team notified city officials of the pending lawsuit.
“The city’s abrupt move to terminate Officer Wiebolt is an effort to cover its tracks,” the complaint states.
Despite allegations of excessive force, violating citizens’ rights, and prior misconduct at multiple police agencies, Wiebolt kept his job—until now.
Police Leadership Accused of Sweeping Misconduct Under the Rug
Sell says her supervisor Lt. Travis Benson fabricated allegations against her to justify her dismissal. Meanwhile, Chief Mark Nelson allegedly pressured her to drop her concerns and move on—only to sign her termination papers a week later.
Her lawsuit argues that, as a woman in law enforcement, she was treated unfairly, while Wiebolt—who had a past DUI conviction and a history of reckless behavior—was protected.
City Silent as Scandal Unfolds
The Grand Forks Police Department refused to comment, directing media inquiries to their legal team. So far, there has been no response from the attorneys representing the accused officers.
What’s Next?
Sell is seeking damages for wrongful termination, gender discrimination, and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The case is set to reveal how deep the corruption runs within the Grand Forks Police Department.
Stay tuned as this legal battle unfolds!
Read the full lawsuit details on TRF News.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.
Did you know?
The majority of women in law enforcement report experiencing gender discrimination at some point in their careers. Police departments across the U.S. face rising scrutiny over internal retaliation cases against whistleblowers. In 2021, over 3,000 lawsuits were filed against police departments for workplace discrimination and misconduct.