A federal judge on Monday sentenced a former Fargo elementary school principal to 40 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to sexually abuse a child and to possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.
David Preston George, 41, admitted in a plea agreement that he transported a minor from North Dakota to South Dakota in October 2022 and that investigators found extensive illicit material on his electronic devices. Prosecutors said the material included 224 images and 378 videos; authorities reported at least one image was a nude photograph of a child taken by George himself.
The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Peter Welte in North Dakota. Welte said he was appalled by the nature of the crimes and acknowledged that, in his view, a life sentence would be sufficient, but that the 40-year term was the result of a binding plea agreement between prosecutors and the defense.
Victims and family members were present for the hearing. One young victim took the stand and described staying silent out of fear that George would kill him or harm his loved ones, saying, "I lost my childhood and innocence because of David's abuse." The victim's mother delivered emotional testimony that prompted audible reaction in the courtroom; she told George, "Even though the court gives you a sentence, it is nothing compared to the life sentence you gave to my kids." During her remarks, a boy in the gallery moved through the audience handing out tissues to those who were crying.
George addressed the court near the end of the hearing and cried while saying, "I hurt the ones I love the most." The victim's mother and others in the courtroom rejected his remarks as insufficient in light of the offenses. Prosecutors said George had broad access to children in his former role as principal at Independence Elementary School in Fargo.
Court records reflect that George also admitted to possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. The charges brought federal penalties because they involved transporting a minor across state lines. Under the plea agreement, George will serve 40 years in prison; at the time of his expected release he would be in his late 70s.
Defense filings and court transcripts show that George had at times sought to shift blame during the investigation, naming neighbors and family members, but he ultimately entered the guilty plea that resolved the federal prosecution. The case drew local attention to the responsibilities of school officials and the protections for students under federal law.
Sentencing concluded the federal proceedings; additional records indicate George has been held in local custody during the case. The prosecution and defense reached their agreement before Monday's hearing, and the term imposed reflected that negotiated disposition in federal court.