Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced that Christopher Jerome Endicott, age 50, of Apple Valley, has been charged* with two felony crimes of stalking, one felony crime of identity theft, and one felony crime of financial transaction card fraud. Endicott had previously been charged in two separate complaints with Burglary in the 2nd Degree in connection with allegations he broke into the home of a neighbor and the home of a person who had been renting a residence from Endicott. The following is a summary of information upon which the additional charges are based:
In January of 2018 the Apple Valley Police Department was contacted by an administrator of Independent School District 196 regarding the District’s information technology system and possible unauthorized access to information contained in the system. Through additional information, the Apple Valley Police Department identified Endicott as a former school administrator in the District who may have had unauthorized access to District 196 information technology system while he was employed as a school principal in a neighboring school district. Search warrants were executed on Endicott’s residence and place of employment, which resulted in the seizure of computers and other electronic equipment. A forensic analysis of the electronic equipment revealed a significant amount of personal and financial information on multiple individuals, including school employees and their family members. It was also learned that Endicott had access to multiple individuals’ email accounts. As part of the police investigation, the individuals were contacted. It was also learned that Endicott had made purchases using the credit cards without the knowledge or consent of the individual. During the execution of the search warrants, investigators also recovered several writings in which Endicott acknowledged that he had accessed several individuals’ email and financial accounts. At one point, Endicott indicated that he was in "financial ruin".
Additional facts pertaining to this case can be found in the criminal complaints, which are located online at: Criminal Complaint Search. While in custody, a mug shot can be viewed at: Inmate Search.
Backstrom thanked the Apple Valley Police Department for their thorough investigation of this case, and the Lakeville Police Department and the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.
Endicott is currently in custody in Crow Wing County, Minnesota on criminal charges recently filed in North Dakota. An arrest warrant has been issued for the new Dakota County offenses. It is anticipated that he will be transferred to the Dakota County jail to make his initial court appearances on the above offenses. If you have questions, contact James Backstrom at 651-438-4438.
*Criminal charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant/suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.