FARGO — The victim of a local photographer who plead guilty Monday, Nov. 13, to child sex charges says he was hospitalized for anxiety and tried to take his own life.

The teenager addressed the court as 52-year-old Robby Njos, the owner of Njos photography in Moorhead, was sentenced 28 months in prison on Monday for luring a minor.

He entered an Alford plea to luring a minor. That means he’s not admitting to the crime, but admits there is enough evidence to convict.

“He would then keep asking, and I kept putting it off which would lead to dread and anxiety as I felt I couldn’t say no,” the victim said in court.

WDAY does not identify the victim’s of sex crimes unless they request it.

The victim was 15 years old at the time of the crime two years ago, and said he was vulnerable due to the stress of COVID-19.

He said Njos, a husband and father, preyed on that vulnerability to convince the victim to exchange sexual pictures and videos.

The victim said he was hospitalized for anxiety and attempted suicide.

“I didn’t feel control over my emotions and the abuse controlled my life,” the victim said. “I would do impulsive and self destructive behavior without thinking about it, I would go to the middle of nowhere in my car and floor it while thinking if I die it’s whatever.”

Hours after an arrest warrant was issued for Njos in connection to child sex charges,

he wrecked his car on Interstate 94 in Fargo

and spent two months in the hospital.

“The one and only time he was going to be held accountable for his behavior he chose to drive into a concrete pillar,” the victim’s mother told the court.

Njos’ lawyer said the crash is the reason for the Alford plea, that his client is not trying to avoid responsibility, rather he can’t remember the past due to his injuries from the crash.

The charge of luring a minors carries a maximum of five years in prison.

Prosecutors asked for three years, while Njos asked for 60 days citing he has no criminal history and a defense-ordered evaluation.

Njos lawyer argued the evaluation suggested he’s a low risk to re-offend.

Prosecutors fired right back saying the defense left out an important detail from the evaluation.

“He scored highly problematic regarding social desirably meaning he may not have been fully honest when answering the questions,” said assistant Cass County State’s Attorney SheraLynn Ternes.

Njos declined to address the court.

Judge Reid Brady ordered Njos to spend 28 months in prison, and he will have to register as a sex offender when he’s released from prison.

Njos runs Njos Photography in Moorhead and is very active with schools in the area, known to take photos of band, theater, prom and sporting events.

He also took senior pictures and family photos.

Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.