Tennessee grandmother jailed for 6 months due to facial recognition error

Angela Lipps claims she was wrongly accused of bank fraud in North Dakota

Mar. 18, 2026 at 8:25am

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A 65-year-old Tennessee woman named Angela Lipps spent six months in prison after a facial recognition system incorrectly identified her as a suspect in a bank fraud case in Fargo, North Dakota. Lipps maintains she has never been to North Dakota and had no involvement in the alleged crimes.

Why it matters

This case highlights growing concerns about the accuracy and reliability of facial recognition technology, especially when used by law enforcement for identification and criminal investigations. Wrongful arrests based on AI errors can have severe consequences for innocent individuals.

The details

According to police, the facial recognition software analyzed surveillance footage and identified Lipps as a suspect who used a fake ID to withdraw large sums of money from a bank in Fargo. However, Lipps claims she has never been to North Dakota and was wrongly accused. After her arrest at her Tennessee home, Lipps was jailed for nearly four months without the possibility of bail.

  • Lipps was arrested at her home in the summer of 2025.
  • Lipps spent almost four months in prison without the possibility of bail.

The players

Angela Lipps

A 65-year-old Tennessee grandmother who was wrongly accused of bank fraud in North Dakota due to a facial recognition error.

Fargo City Police

The law enforcement agency that arrested Lipps based on the facial recognition software's identification of her as a suspect.

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What they’re saying

“I was trying to rebuild my life, and then this happened.”

— Angela Lipps

What’s next

Lipps' lawyers are working to have her record expunged and are exploring legal action against the police department and the facial recognition software provider.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for greater oversight and accountability around the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement, to prevent wrongful arrests and protect the rights of innocent individuals.