ND man accused in child porn case wants evidence thrown out

A North Dakota man, accused in federal court of distributing child pornography, wants case evidence thrown out.

Grand Forks Police began investigating Nicholas Morgan-Derosier’s landscaping company after he was ordered to stop doing business in the state, but continued doing projects.

One project was at the home of former State Senator Ray Holmberg of Grand Forks, where a company co-owner was killed after falling under a skid-steer Morgan Derosier was operating.

Morgan-Derosier’s attorneys say his Fourth Amendment rights were violated when police – investigating him for construction fraud – found thousands of images and videos of child pornography during a warrant that was limited to the fraud claims, and after Morgan-Derosier’s roommates told investigators he had the photos on a thumb drive that was seized during the search.

Holmberg came under scrutiny after it was discovered that Morgan-Derosier texted with the former senator from his jail cell.

Testimony revealed a recording by police in which Morgan-Derosier can be heard scheduling a meeting in Bismarck at a time when he could ride there with Holmberg, who ultimately resigned due to his connections with Morgan-Derosier.

Morgan-Derosier’s trial is set to begin Aug. 1.

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(KNOX / KFGO)