By: Bobby Falat
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A Fargo man has pleaded guilty to two felony charges related to the possession and distribution of certain materials prohibited.
Gabriel Thomas McBryde entered guilty pleas to promoting a sexual performance by a minor and possession of certain materials prohibited. McBryde had previously pleaded not guilty to both charges in August 2025.
The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NDBCI) began investigating McBryde after they received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2024 regarding certain materials prohibited discovered on a messaging account linked to McBryde.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the account, which contained multiple media files depicting certain materials prohibited. IP logs traced the account’s activity to McBryde’s apartment, where a search warrant was executed and multiple cell phones were taken.
McBryde confessed to owning the account and using it to obtain and exchange certain materials prohibited. Investigators said McBryde distributed such materials to others on an estimated one to three occasions and received materials from others an estimated four to five times.
Digital forensic evidence, including metadata and location data, corroborated McBryde’s statements and linked the account activity to his devices.
McBryde is scheduled to be sentenced June 22, 2026.
