Grand Forks Lawsuit: Typo Led to Wrongful Arrest, Man Says
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (northwestmnnow.com) — A Colorado man is suing Grand Forks police, saying an email typo led to his arrest.
Deryck Middleton, 40, of Golden, Colorado, filed the federal lawsuit on October 8, 2026. He says investigators wrongly linked him to a felony child-luring case despite evidence pointing elsewhere.
The lawsuit names the police department, the city, the county prosecutor’s office, three officers, and two prosecutors. The civil allegations have not been proven in court.
How an Email Error Allegedly Shaped the Case
The investigation began in January 2025 after school staff found inappropriate online messages involving a 13-year-old student. The other person used the name Vincent and claimed to be an 18-year-old from Michigan.
Investigators reviewed two email addresses, a screen name, and a Zoom link used for a 42-minute call. Middleton’s complaint says an officer entered an email address incorrectly while checking the evidence.
The lawsuit says Google records showed the correct email address, Vincent’s name, and an internet address tied to Michigan. Middleton claims investigators nevertheless focused on him instead of following those details.
Arrests in Colorado and North Dakota
Middleton was arrested at his Colorado home on October 9, 2025, according to the complaint. He spent two days at the Jefferson County Jail.
After his release, Middleton drove to North Dakota and turned himself in. He spent another day and night in jail before appearing in court on October 23, the lawsuit says.
He faced a Class B felony charge of luring a minor through electronic means. His attorneys later reviewed the evidence and found problems with the identification, according to the complaint.
Prosecutor Confirms Charges Were Dismissed
Grand Forks County State’s Attorney Haley Wamstad said prosecutors acted after learning Middleton was not the person responsible. She said they dismissed the charge and took steps to expunge his arrest record.
Wamstad said her office takes the accuracy of criminal cases seriously. Her statement was reported by Valley News Live.
What the Federal Lawsuit Seeks
Middleton alleges violations of his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. He also claims negligence, unlawful imprisonment, and malicious prosecution.
The lawsuit says the arrest affected his career, finances, and health. It seeks compensation for past and future losses, emotional harm, interest, and legal fees.
Middleton also asks the court to require changes in training and oversight. The complaint says his damages exceed $75,000.
The case appears in the federal court docket as case number 3:2026-cv-00352. Readers can also visit the Grand Forks County State’s Attorney’s Office website.
I’m David Keller reporting for Northwest MN Now News.
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