Ex-Principal Living In Apple Valley Charged With Stalking

Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced Friday that Chris Endicott, 50, of Apple Valley has been charged with stalking, identity theft, and financial transaction card fraud.

In January, 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 its information.

The police identified Endicott as someone who may have had unsanctioned access to the system while he was employed as a school principal in a neighboring district.

Search warrants resulted in the seizure of his computers and other electronic equipment. A forensic analysis revealed a significant amount of personal and financial information on several people including school employees and their family members, according to police.

Authorities say Endicott had access to multiple people’s email accounts and made purchases using other's credit cards without their knowledge.

Investigators also say they recovered writings in which Endicott acknowledged he accessed people's accounts. He also wrote he was in "financial ruin."

Endicott was previously charged in two separate complaints of burglary in connection with allegations he broke into the home of a neighbor and the home of a person who was renting from him.

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