In Fargo, a case that has left many in disbelief is nearing its conclusion. Former North Dakota senator Ray Holmberg, 81, is set to face sentencing on March 26 at the federal courthouse in Fargo. The hearing, overseen by U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland, will determine Holmberg’s punishment after he admitted to traveling abroad with plans to exploit minors.
Holmberg, who represented Grand Forks in the North Dakota Senate for over four decades, pleaded guilty to charges of traveling multiple times to Prague with the intent of engaging in illegal activities involving minors. According to federal prosecutors, these trips occurred between 2011 and 2016, during which Holmberg stayed at a hotel known for catering to gay clientele, Villa Mansland.
A Shocking Revelation
The case details are both shocking and unsettling. Prosecutors revealed that Holmberg used an alias, “Sean Evans,” during his time in Prague. He allegedly requested assistance from hotel staff to find a “kid.” During his plea hearing, Holmberg admitted to receiving massages that sometimes led to sexual encounters but claimed he did not know he was engaging with minors. He cited Prague’s age of consent laws, which set the threshold at 15, as his defense.
“It wasn’t my intention to break any laws,” Holmberg stated during the hearing. However, federal law prohibits U.S. citizens from traveling internationally to engage in illicit activities with individuals under 18.
The Legal Fallout
Holmberg’s guilty plea comes with a maximum potential sentence of 30 years in federal prison. However, as part of a plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a lighter sentence, likely around three years, in exchange for dropping additional charges related to child sex abuse materials.
The legal saga began with Holmberg’s indictment in October 2023. Despite initially being allowed to remain free under court-supervised release, repeated violations of those terms led to his incarceration in November. He is currently held at the Sherburne County Jail in Minnesota, awaiting sentencing.
What Lies Ahead
Holmberg’s fate will soon be in Judge Hovland’s hands. While there is no mandatory minimum sentence, Holmberg could face anything from time served and probation to several years in a federal facility. His defense team, led by attorney Mark Friese, is preparing to argue for leniency, citing Holmberg’s advanced age and serious health issues, including spinal and pulmonary conditions.
If sentenced to prison, Holmberg may serve his time at a federal medical facility, with the nearest one located in Rochester, Minnesota. Regardless of the sentence, he will be required to register as a sex offender, a permanent reminder of the charges that ended his political career.
A Tarnished Legacy
Holmberg’s fall from grace has been swift and dramatic. Once a respected lawmaker who served his community for decades, his resignation in 2022 followed reports linking him to another individual convicted of trading child sex abuse materials online.
This case has left a mark not only on North Dakota politics but also on the broader conversation about accountability and justice. As sentencing approaches, the focus remains on ensuring that justice is served, offering some closure to a deeply troubling chapter in the state’s history.
