“The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and I, as Sheriff, upon learning and substantiating allegations against Viken, immediately acted to investigate and terminate Viken’s employment. We involved the Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation to ensure a fair and impartial criminal investigation. The Sheriff’s Office made immediate changes to ensure nothing of the same nature could happen again. Our office took steps to notify the North Dakota POST Board about Viken’s Peace Officer License. The criminal investigation was turned over to prosecutors and the court system to hopefully obtain justice for the victims. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and I, as Sheriff, are hugely disappointed in Viken’s actions as well as the outcome and the sentence that was handed down from the court. Although I respect the criminal justice system, this sentence appears extremely lenient, lacks responsibility, and accountability. Lenient sentences like this can cause distrust in the criminal justice by our citizens and the law enforcement profession. There were several victims in this case who I feel did not receive the justice they deserved. In addition, Viken’s actions affected the men and women of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement statewide and nationwide, who go out every day to uphold the rule of law and conduct themselves morally and ethically. I know from experience that victim advocates also become concerned with these types of lenient sentences. I want to thank the victims personally for their courage in reporting this. Although not easy they most definitely prevented further individuals from being victimized.”