Aaron Doss, a 27-year-old resident of Fargo, pleaded guilty to his acts in North Dakota. Prior to this incident, he had already engaged in a criminal act that carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Specifically, he utilized the internet to manipulate and persuade a 15-year-old girl to partake in unlawful sexual activities.
Last month, Doss and Ryan Baron, a former North Dakota school administrator, were both indicted. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Delorme, it is claimed that Baron organized a meeting between Doss and the victim at a nearby gym. The purpose of this meeting was to engage in sexual activity and film it for Baron.
Both Doss and the victim attended the gym, however, Doss ultimately opted not to proceed with the plan.
According to federal law, it is not required for the actual sexual act to have occurred. The act of using the internet to attract the girl is sufficient to violate the compulsion and enticement statute, which is a charge that can result in a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Doss entered a guilty plea for a single charge from the indictment on Monday morning. As part of a plea agreement, the government agreed to dismiss all the remaining accusations against him.
Doss is scheduled to receive his punishment in November. The court is not obligated to follow the plea bargain between Doss and the government, as it is nonbinding. Therefore, Chief Judge Peter Welte has the discretion to determine the punishment in the case independently.
Baron, who is 41 years old, is scheduled to go on trial for the charge on August 6th. However, his attorney has requested a postponement. In November of last year, he was initially accused of collecting materials related to the sexual abuse of children in a state court. At the time, he held the positions of principal and superintendent in the Midkota School District.
The Midkota School District caters to the tiny towns of Binford, Glenfield, McHenry, Grace City, and Sutton in Griggs and Foster counties in north-central North Dakota, situated between Jamestown and Devils Lake. The district officials confirmed that Baron’s job was terminated in December 2023, and his license was suspended by the state board in March.
During a hearing in February for the state’s case against Baron, the Griggs County state’s attorney revealed that one of the victims in the case was a student from Midkota as reported by Inforum News.
The federal lawsuit additionally accuses Baron of six other allegations, which include attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, as well as the possession, receipt, and distribution of pictures showing the sexual exploitation of minors.
North Dakota Man Sent to Jail; Directed 13-year-old to Engage in Inappropriate Acts: Authorities