Cybertip leads to arrest of 29 year-old Watford City man for possession of CSAM
Patrice Bumstead
Farmer Editor
Editor’s Note: This story contains graphic content that may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.
Kevin Ibarra, 29, of Watford City is facing multiple Class C Felony charges for possession of certain materials prohibited following his arrest on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
According to documents filed with the Northwest Judicial District, a Special Agent with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NDBCI) was assigned to investigate five cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) on Dec. 17, 2025.
According to the cybertips, the incidents occurred between the dates of Nov. 3, 2024, and Sept. 26, 2025, whereas child sexual abuse material (CSAM) ranging in age from prepubescent to mid-teens engaging in sexual acts, was uploaded to a cell phone.
It has been noted in the affidavit, that the NDBCI executed a search warrant on Verizon Wireless on or about Jan. 25, 2025, of the cell phone linked to the cybertips. It was discovered that the phone belonged to Ibarra.
The NDBCI special agent was assigned two additional NCMEC cybertips related to the case. Upon review, law enforcement observed a 52-second video of a female appearing between the age of 9-12 preforming oral sex on an adult male and a second two minute and 41 second video of a female appearing to be between 10-13 years old engaging in sexually explicit behavior.
On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the NDBCI special agent made contact with Ibarra and provided him with a search warrant for his cellular device.
After being read his Miranda Warning, Ibarra acknowledged his rights and agreed to answer questions and well as consented to a search of his cell phone.
Ibarra advised the special agent that there would be CSAM on his cell phone located in a secured folder. He stated that he has had a problem with pornography since he was about 13 years old. However, the problem with child sexual abuse material was in the last few years.
Ibarra admitted to purchasing CSAM “bundles” from social media outlets and saves images or videos that he likes to his cell phone. He said the age he saves is usually 13 years old. Ibarra noted he prefers teenage pornography.
During his conversation with the NDBCI special agent, Ibarra admitted that he was currently communicating with a 15 year-old, but met them when they were 14. He also stated that law enforcement would find content of that minor on his cell phone.
In reviewing the secured file on Ibarra’s cell phone, law enforcement discovered 209 images and 838 CSAM videos.
Due to the amount of content contained in the secured file, a full analysis was not conducted at the time of Ibarra’s interview. The NDBCI intends to apply for additional search warrants to forensically examine the file.
Ibarra’s bond was set at $100,000 cash or corporate surety. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2026.
The Farmer will continue to follow this case and report updates as they become available.
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