Fargo Judge Sentences Theft Defendant to Probation

Jared Freese received three years of supervised probation for stealing inventory and cash from a local business.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Property Crime

Fargo Judge Sentences Theft Defendant to Probation

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A judge has sentenced Moorhead resident Jared Freese to three years of supervised probation for felony theft. Freese must pay $35,716 in restitution after pleading guilty to stealing money and goods from a local business.

Why it matters

The sentence allows Freese to avoid significant prison time, provided he adheres to the court-mandated conditions of his probation. Failure to follow these rules could result in him facing the original 360-day prison sentence.

Jared Freese was sentenced to 360 days in prison, though this was suspended in favor of three years of supervised probation. The defendant previously served three days in jail following his December 30 charge.

The players

Jared Freese

He is a 25-year-old Moorhead resident who pleaded guilty to felony theft charges.

Triple Diamond Sports Cards and Collectibles

It is the Fargo business that reported the theft of inventory and cash.

The details

Court documents allege that Freese stole cash and inventory from Triple Diamond Sports Cards and Collectibles between late September and December. While the felony theft charge carried a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison, the judge opted for a probationary sentence.

Late September to December: Timeframe during which Freese stole money and inventory.
December 30: Date on which Freese was charged with felony theft.
October 19, 2026: Date of guilty plea and sentencing.

Legal Context

This sentencing reflects common judicial practices in Fargo regarding non-violent property crimes where restitution is prioritized over incarceration. The outcome aligns with broader regional trends of utilizing supervised probation to manage felony theft cases.

Local business owners should remain aware of internal inventory security as this case highlights the risks of prolonged employee or internal theft. The court mandate for restitution provides a pathway for the affected business to recover its financial losses.

The takeaway

This case serves as a reminder of the significant financial consequences tied to felony theft charges for both the defendant and the victimized business. Residents are encouraged to implement robust inventory tracking to mitigate the risk of similar internal losses.