A husband and wife from Minot were arrested and charged with two felonies for allegedly possessing and sharing child pornography with each other.

Dalton Jake Hattem and Amber Lyn Hattem, both 33, made their initial appearances in North Central District Court on Friday before Judge Richard Hagar. Both Hattem’s have been charged with promoting or directing an obscene sexual performance by a minor and possession of certain materials prohibited, both Class C felonies.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation were referred a cybertip on Aug. 15 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding two files of suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The files were sent in July on an anonymous messaging app, which were determined to be connected to the IP address registered to Dalton Hattem at his residence in Minot.

Investigators submitted a search warrant to the messaging service, finding evidence that about 24 files of suspected CSAM were allegedly sent from Dalton Hattem’s account to another which was eventually linked to Amber Hattem. According to the affidavit, some of the CSAM involved children younger than four.

BCI and Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a search warrant on the Hattem’s residence on Wednesday. Dalton Hattem allegedly told law enforcement that he had been “raided” in Fort Worth, Texas, about a year ago who were looking for suspected child pornography, but he hadn’t been arrested or charged. Dalton Hattem denied possessing CSAM or using the messaging platform in question, and claimed all of his devices had been hacked.

According to the affidavit, Amber Hattem admitted to investigators that she and Dalton Hattem had used the app to communicate before for the purpose of sharing CSAM.

Assistant Ward County State’s Attorney Logan Simons asked the court for a $500,000 cash or corporate surety bond for Dalton Attem, saying additional charges were being prepared to be filed in the near future.

While the affidavit of probable cause did not reference any alleged victims, Simons asked for no-contact orders for two female Jane Does along with a distance provision of 150 feet. Simons also requested conditions that barred Dalton Hattem from any and all contact with anyone under the age of 18, and that he be barred from accessing the internet or using any internet capable devices.

Simons also requested a no-contact order and distance provision for Amber Hattem, noting that she was seeking a domestic violence protection order against Dalton.

Simons further supported his requested conditions by referencing the Fort Worth allegations, and pointing out that Dalton Hattem’s alleged crimes occurred in close proximity to an elementary school, a middle school and a high school.

Hagar ruled in a favor of the state and imposed the requested conditions.

The co-defendants have been scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.