It all began as an investigation into unauthorized access of a computer by a Lakeville middle school principal. Now the principal, Christopher Jerome Endicott, 49, of Apple Valley has been charged with stalking, among others, police detectives.

Endicott was charged with stalking to follow, monitor and pursue.  A gross misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of one year and a $3,000 fine.

Endicott made his first court appearance today and was released on $1,000 bail with conditions.  Those conditions included no contact with alleged victims and no use of electronics.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Endicott's Apple Valley home last month and authorities found items that shed he had been stalking an initial victim in addition to several other people according to the criminal complaint in the case.

Investigators believe the principal not only followed his victims but possibly broke into their residences and vehicles, and they found personal information such as full identification of names, birthdays, social security numbers and passwords for applications used.  The applications included children's names and maiden names for both victims and families according to the complaint.

The Apple Valley Police Department obtained an order to allow them to place a tracking device on Endicott's vehicle and set up several geo fences around victims' homes.

According to the complaint a detective tracking Endicott noticed on a Saturday that the principal's vehicle was close to his home and the criminal complaint states the detective was, "panicked and concerned."  A geo fence was then set up outside the detective's home.

Two days later, Endicott's car was in the detective's neighborhood again.  Later in the day it was observed in the parking lot of the Apple Valley Police Department where the tracking device noted he stayed for about 45 minutes and then went to the Department of Motor Vehicles licensing center in Roseville according to the complaint.

The complaint says, "It is unknown if Mr. Endicott was attempting to locate motor vehicle registration information for the vehicles located at the Apple Valley Police Department."

His next court appearance is scheduled for March 8, 2018.

Christopher Jerome Endicott of Apple Valley. Photo from Dakota County Jail
Christopher Jerome Endicott of Apple Valley. Photo from Dakota County Jail
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