Former North Dakota Senator Ray Holmberg has been sentenced to 10 years

Former North Dakota Senator Ray Holmberg has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for engaging in illicit sexual conduct. A former state senator, Holmberg, 81, was convicted of traveling with the intent to participate in prohibited sexual conduct. The court’s ruling has reverberated around the country, as details of the case emerge.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland called Holmberg’s crimes “egregious and despicable” and said a sentence of a little more than three years, as recommended under federal guidelines, was not enough. In fact, Holmberg was given a much harsher sentence because of the severity of his crimes.

“This was not an isolated case, nor was it a victimless crime,” Judge Hovland said. “It shows a pattern of foul, nauseating criminal behavior.”

Chilling Details of the Case

Between 2011 and 2021, Holmberg traveled to Prague in the Czech Republic at least 14 times, prosecutors said, and reportedly paid for sex with underage boys. If authorities had pinpointed victims in Prague, the prosecution would have pursued an even heftier sentence.

Jennifer Klemetsrud Puhl, North Dakota’s acting U.S. Attorney, underlined the damage done to the victims, saying, “These boys suffered serious trauma.”

Holmberg denied having knowingly participated in unlawful conduct with minors, but the evidence showed otherwise. He sent messages obtained during the investigation that mentioned brothels and underage sex workers in Prague. In one message, he boasted how “boys rent for about $60… (sex is extra).” Although he subsequently called it “locker room talk,” the court was not persuaded.

Links to Other Criminal Activities

The investigation of Holmberg’s activities was related to the case of Nicholas Morgan-Derosier, a convicted sex offender who was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the possession of child pornography. Testimonies connected Holmberg to this case, which further followed his predatory behavior.

Two men testified during the trial, delivering emotional statements. One claimed that Holmberg paid him to secretly film sexual acts in the 1990s. Another, a cooperating witness, said that Holmberg exploited his political influence to groom young men for sexual exploitation.

Defense’s Efforts to Diminish the Crimes

Holmberg’s defense attorney, Mark Friese, maintained that there was no credible evidence Holmberg had engaged in sexual activity with minors. He also noted that Holmberg had no prior criminal record and that, given his age and health, a lesser sentence, such as house arrest, would be appropriate.

But the court rejected these arguments in light of the weight of evidence against Holmberg. His multiple visits to Prague, damning messages and association with other offenders formed an unmistakable impression of purposeful criminal activity.

Holmberg’s Future Behind Bars

Holmberg’s sentence will be served at a federal prison, potentially at a medical facility given his age. He also was sentenced to register as a sex offender and have stringent post-release conditions. These include:

No contact with minors without probation officer approval

staying away from schools, playgrounds and other places where children congregate Including a stipulation for regular attendance at a sex offender therapy program.

Judge Hovland said that the harsh sentence was warranted, saying, “This crime was an assault on the dignity of many young boys in Prague.” Holmberg, at age 81, remained a threat to society, the court said.

A Powerful Fall from Grace

Ray Holmberg’s political career had once placed him among North Dakota’s most powerful figures. He previously had powerful leverage as the head of the Senate Appropriations Committee. But his crimes irreparably stained his legacy.

Holmberg stepped down from office in 2022 in the wake of the allegations, but the full extent of his misconduct was uncovered during trial. Prosecutors say other people who committed similar offenses received immunity in return for their cooperation with Holmberg’s work.

Justice Served?

While Holmberg’s sentence of 10 years is longer than her attorneys anticipated, some argue it does not add up to the years of harm incurred to vulnerable victims. His willful acts illustrate the systemic corruption and misuse of authority that can pervade even the loftiest echelons of government.

But there’s one thing that’s sure now that the case is closed: Justice finally caught up with Ray Holmberg. His shocking fall from grace is a sobering reminder that no one, no matter their status, is above the law.

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