Woman Claims Faulty Facial Recognition Led to 5-Month Jail Sentence

Fargo police say the investigation into the bank fraud case is still ongoing.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:21am

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A 50-year-old Tennessee woman, Angela Lipps, claims she was wrongly accused in a bank fraud case and spent five months in jail after Fargo, North Dakota police used facial recognition software to identify her as a suspect. Lipps says she had never even been to North Dakota, and her attorney was able to prove she was in Tennessee at the time of the crimes. The charges against her were eventually dropped, but the police chief says the investigation is still ongoing.

Why it matters

This case highlights the potential risks and pitfalls of relying too heavily on facial recognition technology, which can produce false matches and lead to wrongful arrests and detentions. It also raises questions about the rights of individuals who are targeted by law enforcement based on flawed technology.

The details

In the spring of 2025, Fargo police were investigating a string of bank fraud cases where the suspect used a fake U.S. Army ID to withdraw thousands of dollars. Detectives used facial recognition software to review surveillance footage and identified Lipps as a suspect. She was arrested at her home in Tennessee in July 2025 and transported to North Dakota, where she spent five months in jail before the charges were dropped in December. Lipps' attorney was able to prove she was in Tennessee at the time of the crimes using her bank records.

  • In April and May 2025, the bank fraud incidents occurred in Fargo.
  • On July 14, 2025, Lipps was arrested at her home in Tennessee.
  • On October 30, 2025, Lipps was transported to jail from Tennessee.
  • On October 31, 2025, Lipps was arraigned before a North Dakota judge.
  • On December 19, 2025, Lipps and her attorney met with the district attorney and a Fargo detective.

The players

Angela Lipps

A 50-year-old woman from Elizabethton, Tennessee who was wrongly accused of bank fraud and spent five months in jail.

Dave Zibolski

The Fargo Police Chief who said the investigation into the bank fraud case is still ongoing.

Tim Mahoney

The mayor of Fargo, North Dakota who stated that Angela Lipps is still a person of interest in the investigation.

Jay Greenwood

The attorney for Angela Lipps who was able to prove she was in Tennessee during the time of the crimes.

Lucas Heck

A Fargo city detective involved in the case against Angela Lipps.

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What they’re saying

“Angela is still a person of interest.”

— Tim Mahoney, Mayor of Fargo, North Dakota

“They arrested me at gunpoint and took me away. Until then, I had never had a gun pointed at me. These poor children saw everything happen. It breaks my heart. They were so scared.”

— Angela Lipps

What’s next

The Fargo Police Department says the investigation into the bank fraud case remains ongoing, and the charges against Angela Lipps could potentially be re-filed if additional evidence is found.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability when it comes to the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement. It demonstrates how flawed algorithms can lead to wrongful arrests and detentions, with devastating consequences for innocent individuals like Angela Lipps.