FARGO (KFGO) – A former Cass County Sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced after pleading guilty to six misdemeanors for what prosecutors say was harassing conduct toward women enrolled in the court-ordered 24-7 program.
Darin Viken, 63, of Fargo, the former coordinator of the program, was fired more than a year ago. He was charged in December 2024.
The complaint says the conduct included unwanted acts, words or gestures between December of 2022 and July of last year. Six women claimed that Viken looked through their phones, searching for photographs and made inappropriate statements about their bodies and appearances.
Viken will serve five days of electronic home monitoring, complete 50 hours of community service and not attempt to renew his peace officer license during the year that he’s on probation.
Viken was fired by Sheriff Jesse Jahner last July after he learned of the investigation, that was conducted by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Viken was a 19-year employee of the sheriff’s office and was named 24-7 coordinator in the fall of 2015.
24-7 requires people to submit to alcohol or drug testing as a condition of bail. it can apply to sentences or probation in cases that include driving violations, domestic abuse and child abuse or neglect.
Southeast District Judge James Hovey handled the court proceedings after East Central District Court judges stepped aside due to their working relationship with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.
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