A Ryder man has been charged with seven counts of possession of certain materials prohibited, a Class C felony, after an investigation by the Ward County Sheriff’s Department

James Alfred Hagen, 45, Ryder, made his initial appearance in North Central District Court in Minot on May 30.

According to court documents, the charges against Hagen stem from an investigation by Ward County sheriff’s deputies into eight cybertips received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. All of the cybertips involved the sharing of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) over a messaging app between Jan. 28, 2024, and Dec. 10, 2024. In total, 75 images and videos of suspected CSAM were identified in the cybertips.

The information in the cybertips identified four accounts that shared the CSAM. Investigators received additional information from an agent with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation after a subpoena was served on the accounts, including the internet protocol address used to share the CSAM and a video of a man talking. The man was identified as Hagen, whose address matched the IP address.

A search warrant was obtained and executed by the WCSO and NDBCI, which located 13 devices as evidence. Hagen was interviewed by investigators, and said he used the app to view and share adult pornography. According to the affidavit of probable cause, Hagen eventually admitted he would receive “questionable” sexual material from other users and would keep it for a period of time. Hagen also admitted to using the email addresses and app associated with the cybertips.

Hagen posted a cash bond of $10,000 on Monday, and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 3.