The state level charges against a Minot man for allegedly sharing child sex abuse material (CSAM) with his wife have been dismissed after he was indicted on federal charges.

Dalton Jake Hattem, 33, Minot, was charged in December 2024, along with his wife Amber Lyn Hattem after an investigation by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation accused the couple of seeking and sharing CSAM with each other on a messaging app.

Dalton Hattem was charged in North Central District Court with one count of promoting or directing an obscene sexual performance by a minor, a Class A felony; and possession of certain materials prohibited, a Class C felony.

Both counts were dismissed without prejudice by Judge Todd Cresap on April 2 following a motion by Assistant Ward County State’s Attorney Logan Simons. Simons’ motion indicated Hattem had been indicted federally on other charges. Information on the federal case against Hattem is currently under seal.

The CSAM case against Amber Hattem is still active, with the next hearing, a pretrial conference, scheduled for June 4. The Hattems are also charged as co-defendants in a second case for allegedly conspiring and committing gross sexual imposition against several elderly residents of a Minot care facility where Amber Hattem was employed. They are scheduled for a preliminary hearing in that case on Friday, May 2.