FARGO, ND (trfnews.i234.me) — A federal judge has approved a request to delay the trial of Ryan Baron, former superintendent of Midkota Public Schools in North Dakota, who faces multiple counts of child sexual exploitation. The trial, initially set for January 14, 2025, is now scheduled for May 6, 2025. This marks the second postponement of Baron’s federal trial.
Baron’s attorney, Luke Heck, sought additional time to review discovery materials with his client, citing difficulties in communication. Heck’s motion stated, “Defense counsel has had a difficult time connecting with Defendant to discuss the discovery and how to proceed with this matter.”
Baron, 42, was initially charged in state court in November 2023 with possession of child sexual abuse materials involving victims aged 7 to 13. In January 2024, he faced an additional charge of promoting or directing an obscene sexual performance by a minor, specifically a 12-year-old girl known to him.
The Midkota School District serves the communities of Binford, Glenfield, McHenry, Grace City, and Sutton in Griggs and Foster counties, North Dakota. District officials reported that Baron’s employment ended in December 2023, and the state board suspended his license in March 2024.
In June 2024, Baron and co-defendant Aaron Doss, 27, of Fargo, were federally indicted on charges including attempted sexual exploitation of a child, receipt, possession, and distribution of child sexual exploitation images, and coercion and enticement of a minor. The coercion and enticement charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.
Prosecutors allege that Baron used the internet to arrange for Doss to meet an underage girl at a local gym for sexual activity, intending to record the encounter. Doss pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor in July 2024 and is scheduled for sentencing in February 2025.
Baron remains in custody at the Cass County Jail pending trial, while Doss is held at the Sherburne County Jail in Minnesota awaiting sentencing.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me