Moorhead Police detective Adam Torgerson was honored Monday for his investigative work. (From left) Mayor Shelly Carlson, Investigation Lt. Mike Detloff, Torgerson, and Chief Chris Helmick.

Moorhead police detective Adam Torgerson was honored at Monday’s city council meeting for outstanding investigative work. He was one of 18 Minnesota officers recently recognized by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis.
Torgerson’s statewide award recognizes his outstanding investigative work in “Operation Nobody’s Home,” a major drug case with multiple arrests and federal prosecution that originally stemmed from a kidnapping case. He collaborated with a Clay County Sheriff’s detective and a U.S. Postal inspector in the case, which involved Jamie White.
White, who had previously been convicted of drug charges resulting from another case led by Torgerson, held a woman captive in the basement of his Moorhead home, restrained with duct tape. After she managed to escape, Red River Valley SWAT surrounded his home and assisted with his arrest.
While awaiting trial, White coordinated the delivery of large quantities of methamphetamine, nearly 9.5 pounds in one intercepted package, to vacant rental properties in the area. A controlled delivery led to his arrest as well as several accomplices. He ultimately pled guilty to drug charges in August 2024.
According to the official award, “Detective Torgerson’s professionalism, investigative skill, and previous rapport with the suspect led to a full confession and a comprehensive case presentation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota, which ultimately agreed to prosecute, a significant step in strengthening cross-state collaboration.”