Who is David Preston George, the West Fargo Principal Arrested for Child Pornography?

David Preston George, who used to be the principal of Independence Elementary School in West Fargo, North Dakota, is facing criminal charges for allegedly having child pornography on his electronic devices. He was arrested on August 14, 2023, by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and resigned from his job the following day. David Preston George is accused of having five counts of possessing certain materials prohibited by North Dakota law, which involve images and videos of minors engaging in sexual acts. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

His Life and Career

David Preston George, 39, grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. He graduated from Fargo South High School in 2002 and went to North Dakota State University, where he got a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2006 and a master’s degree in educational leadership in 2010. He also earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Dakota in 2018.

David Preston George started his career as a fourth-grade teacher at Clara Barton Elementary School in Fargo in 2006. He worked there for six years before becoming an assistant principal at Horace Mann Elementary School in Fargo in 2012. In 2014, he joined West Fargo Public Schools as an assistant principal at L.E. Berger Elementary School. He became the principal of Independence Elementary School in April 2023, after serving as interim principal since January.

On his LinkedIn profile, David Preston George described himself as “a passionate educator who believes in creating a positive and engaging learning environment for all students.” He also mentioned his skills and interests as curriculum development, instructional leadership, data analysis, professional development, and technology integration.

His Arrest and Charges

On August 14, 2023, around 9 p.m., George was arrested by BCI agents at his home in West Fargo. They had a search warrant and seized several electronic devices from his residence, including a laptop, a tablet, a cell phone, and a flash drive. A forensic examination of the devices revealed that they had multiple images and videos of child pornography, some involving children as young as four years old.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Cass County District Court on August 16, 2023, David Preston George confessed to downloading and viewing child pornography for several years using various websites and applications. He also admitted that he had accessed child pornography on his school-issued laptop and tablet while at work.

The School District’s Response

West Fargo Public Schools sent an email to the families of Independence Elementary School on August 15, 2023, informing them of David Preston George’s arrest and resignation. The email stated that the district was cooperating with the BCI investigation and that there was no evidence that any of the charges were related to district students.

The email also said that the district was providing support and resources to the school staff and students who may be affected by the situation. It encouraged parents to talk to their children about internet safety and to report any concerns or suspicions to law enforcement or school officials.

The district appointed Kaye Fischer as the acting principal of Independence Elementary School until a permanent replacement is found. Fischer was the assistant principal of the school since 2019 and had worked with George for two years.

The Community’s Reaction

The news of George’s arrest and resignation shocked and saddened many people in the West Fargo community, especially those who knew him personally or professionally. Some parents expressed anger and disbelief that someone they trusted with their children could be involved in such a heinous crime. Others expressed sympathy and compassion for his family and friends who may be suffering from his actions.

Some former colleagues and students of David praised him for his dedication and enthusiasm as an educator and leader. They said he was always friendly, helpful, and supportive of his staff and students. They also said he was innovative and creative in implementing new programs and initiatives at his school.

Some people also questioned how George was able to pass the background checks required by the district before hiring him. They wondered if there were any red flags or warning signs that could have prevented him from becoming a principal or accessing child pornography on school devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Summary

• David George was the principal of Independence Elementary School in West Fargo, North Dakota.
• He was arrested on August 14, 2023, for allegedly having child pornography on his electronic devices, including his school-issued laptop and tablet.
• He resigned from his job the following day, after the school district was notified of his arrest by the BCI.
• George is accused of having five counts of possessing certain materials prohibited by North Dakota law, which involve images and videos of minors engaging in sexual acts. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• He confessed to downloading and viewing child pornography for several years using various websites and applications.
• He grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, and graduated from Fargo South High School in 2002.
• George got a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from North Dakota State University in 2006, a master’s degree in educational leadership from North Dakota State University in 2010, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Dakota in 2018.
• He started his career as a fourth-grade teacher at Clara Barton Elementary School in Fargo in 2006. He worked there for six years before becoming an assistant principal at Horace Mann Elementary School in Fargo in 2012.
• He joined West Fargo Public Schools as an assistant principal at L.E. Berger Elementary School in 2014. He became the principal of Independence Elementary School in April 2023, after serving as interim principal since January.
• David Preston George described himself as “a passionate educator who believes in creating a positive and engaging learning environment for all students.” He also mentioned his skills and interests as curriculum development, instructional leadership, data analysis, professional development, and technology integration.
• He was praised by some former colleagues and students for his dedication and enthusiasm as an educator and leader. He was also innovative and creative in implementing new programs and initiatives at his school.
• He shocked and saddened many people in the West Fargo community, especially those who knew him personally or professionally. Some parents expressed anger and disbelief that someone they trusted with their children could be involved in such a heinous crime. Others expressed sympathy and compassion for his family and friends who may be suffering from his actions.
• David is currently being held at the Cass County Jail awaiting his preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for September 15, 2023. He has not entered a plea yet.
• The BCI is continuing its investigation into his case and is asking anyone with information or concerns to contact them at (701) 328-5500.