Tennessee Grandmother Jailed for Months Due to Facial Recognition Error

Attorney considers lawsuit after charges were ultimately dismissed against Angela Lipps.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Tennessee grandmother, Angela Lipps, spent months behind bars after facial recognition technology wrongly identified her in a bank fraud case in North Dakota. Her attorney, Eric Rice, is now gathering records and considering legal action, stating that the dismissal of charges is not the same as being cleared. Rice says they have obtained additional alibi evidence proving Lipps was in Tennessee at the time of the alleged crimes and had nothing to do with them.

Why it matters

This case highlights the potential dangers and inaccuracies of facial recognition technology, which can lead to wrongful arrests and incarceration. It raises concerns about civil rights violations and the need for greater oversight and accountability when using such technologies, especially in the criminal justice system.

The details

Angela Lipps was jailed in Tennessee, then transferred to North Dakota before the charges were ultimately dismissed. Fargo Police have not apologized and say their investigation is still ongoing. Eric Rice, one of Lipps' attorneys, said they are gathering records from multiple agencies as they consider legal action. An email obtained by Valley News Live showed six Fargo detectives were notified of Lipps' arrest in July — nearly five months before Fargo Police say they knew she was in custody.

  • Lipps was arrested in July.
  • Charges against Lipps were dismissed on Christmas Eve.

The players

Angela Lipps

A Tennessee grandmother who was wrongly identified by facial recognition technology and jailed for months in a bank fraud case in North Dakota.

Eric Rice

One of Angela Lipps' attorneys, who is considering legal action and gathering records as they pursue potential civil rights claims.

Fargo Police

The law enforcement agency that arrested Lipps based on the facial recognition technology, and has not issued an apology.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've requested a number of records, some agencies have provided them, others have not but we're trying to have the best look before we move forward.”

— Eric Rice, Attorney for Angela Lipps

“It's not like the department issued a letter of apology or said Angela you're clear we wish you well — instead the department appears to say it was dismissed without prejudice and that Angela remains a person they are investigating. I haven't seen any evidence in the file that Angela is connected to this in any way.”

— Eric Rice, Attorney for Angela Lipps

“Our hope is that any issues that contributed to Angela's wrongful charging and arrest are identified and corrected. I hope Angela's matter can serve as a warning to law enforcement to not use AI as a shortcut.”

— Eric Rice, Attorney for Angela Lipps

What’s next

Eric Rice and Angela Lipps' legal team are continuing to gather records and evidence as they consider filing a civil rights lawsuit against the Fargo Police Department and other agencies involved in her wrongful arrest and incarceration.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious consequences that can arise from the use of flawed facial recognition technology in the criminal justice system, leading to the wrongful arrest and jailing of an innocent person. It underscores the need for greater oversight, transparency, and accountability when employing such technologies, as well as the importance of thorough investigation and verification before depriving individuals of their liberty.