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Fargo Police Defend AI-Linked Probe After Woman’s Wrongful Jailing as City Reviews Legal Exposure

The investigation remains active after prosecutors dismissed the charges without prejudice.

Overview

  • Police say facial-recognition technology initially flagged Angela Lipps in a 2025 bank-fraud case, leading to her July arrest, October extradition and December release after charges were dropped.
  • Chief Dave Zibolski maintains probable cause supported the warrant, noting the State’s Attorney reviewed the case and a judge approved extradition, and he says detectives took steps beyond the AI match.
  • Fargo police cite communication lapses, saying they were first told on Dec. 5 that Lipps was in custody months after her July arrest and Oct. 30 booking in Cass County.
  • Lipps’ attorneys argue investigators leaned on an AI match and failed to verify her alibi, and they are evaluating a potential civil-rights lawsuit.
  • City commissioners met in closed session to assess legal risk and officials signaled work on AI-use policies, while a GoFundMe for Lipps surpassed $35,000 and police say another suspect is in custody.