Angela Lipps, a 50‑year‑old grandmother of five from Tennessee, filed a federal lawsuit on Monday seeking $10 million in damages from the city of Fargo and Detective Lucas Heck. Lipps alleges that Fargo police relied solely on artificial‑intelligence facial‑recognition software to arrest her for a series of bank thefts in North Dakota, despite having no physical connection to the crimes.
Background of the arrest
According to the complaint, Lipps was babysitting a neighbor’s children in July 2025 when a West Fargo police investigator used AI facial‑recognition software to compare a photo from a fake identification card with images from surveillance footage of bank thefts. The software flagged Lipps as a potential lead. Detective Heck then requested an arrest warrant, and Lipps was taken into custody in Tennessee.
She was held for several months in a Carter County detention facility before being extradited to Cass County, North Dakota. While awaiting trial, Lipps was required to post a $100,000 bond she could not afford. The charges were ultimately dismissed after Lipps and her attorney produced bank records proving she was in Tennessee at the time of the alleged thefts.
Allegations against Fargo police
The lawsuit claims Fargo police failed to supervise the use of facial‑recognition technology and ignored known risks of wrongful detention. The complaint states, “FPD was aware that the lack of supervision of an officer using facial recognition in an investigation could result in the wrongful detention and prosecution of a subject. Despite knowledge of this risk, FPD refused to supervise its officers’ use of the technology.”
Lipps also alleges that the department did not adequately train officers on the technology and that Detective Heck did not conduct a thorough investigation before seeking the warrant. The complaint notes that Lipps had never visited North Dakota prior to her arrest and that the suspect’s surveillance images differed markedly in build, facial features, and tattoos.
Impact on Lipps and her family
During her detention, Lipps says she endured “traumatic conditions,” was denied basic care such as medication and dentures, and missed family birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. After her release on Christmas Eve, she discovered she had lost her residence, car, and other personal property.
“Since the incident, she lives in fear that she will be abducted again and has been left with the knowledge that even though she was innocent, she is not safe,” the complaint states.
Responses from Fargo officials
Fargo city officials declined to comment on the pending litigation. Former Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski, speaking after the arrest, acknowledged “a couple of errors” in the investigation and said the department would no longer use the West Fargo AI system. He added that the department typically submits unknown persons to the North Dakota State and Local Intelligence Center and that the use of the AI system would now be prohibited.
“No one wants to see someone detained, arrested unnecessarily, right? Our goal is to get the right people in custody and work through the justice system,” Zibolski said.
Legal outlook
Attorney Eric Rice, representing Lipps, told ABC‑affiliated WKRN that the $10 million figure reflects the “specific harm that happened to Angela,” including loss of property, emotional distress, and the violation of her liberty. The case highlights growing concerns about the reliability of AI facial‑recognition tools and the need for clear oversight when law‑enforcement agencies employ such technology.
The lawsuit adds to a national conversation about the balance between technological innovation in policing and the protection of individual rights, a balance that many conservative leaders, including President Trump, have emphasized as essential to preserving liberty and due process.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
