Ray Holmberg, a former North Dakota state senator, is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday after admitting to traveling abroad to engage in illegal sexual activity with minors. Holmberg, who is now 81, pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2024.
He faces up to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release. His case sheds light on decades of sexual exploitation, using his position of power to manipulate vulnerable youth.
Holmberg, who served in the North Dakota Senate for 46 years, including as chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, exploited his roles as a guidance counselor and legislator to target vulnerable young men.
Federal prosecutors argue that Holmberg’s actions spanned decades, during which he used his authority to engage in sexual exploitation. He is accused of taking advantage of at-risk and homeless youth, with his actions often occurring during official trips, further demonstrating the extent of his abuse of power.
The most significant part of Holmberg’s criminal activity occurred during his repeated visits to Prague between 2011 and 2021. During these trips, Holmberg reportedly visited brothels known for exploiting adolescent boys.
Some of his travels, including at least one state-funded trip, were made possible through a teacher exchange program, further highlighting his abuse of his political position. Prosecutors argue that Holmberg’s travels were part of a deliberate pattern of predatory behavior, using his status to gain access to minors.
A key detail in the case involves Holmberg’s manipulation of a Canadian teenager, who was 16 at the time. Holmberg posed as a young boy online and convinced the teenager to send explicit images.
Tragically, the teenager died by suicide in 2021, with prosecutors stating that Holmberg’s conduct may have played a significant role in the boy’s struggles.
Although Holmberg has not been charged directly in connection with the teenager’s death, the relationship between his actions and the teenager’s tragic fate continues to be a focus of the case.
In an attempt to secure a lighter sentence, Holmberg’s defense attorney, Mark Friese, has pointed to Holmberg’s age and health concerns.
Friese has requested that Holmberg be sentenced to time served and home detention, arguing that while Holmberg acknowledges his violation of federal law, the government has not proven that he actually paid for sex with minors.
Despite these claims, the prosecutor’s argument emphasizes the seriousness of Holmberg’s decades of predatory behavior, suggesting that a severe sentence is necessary.
Ray Holmberg’s case underscores the dangers of unchecked power and the devastating effects of abuse on vulnerable individuals. As a powerful figure in North Dakota’s political landscape, Holmberg used his influence to exploit minors, leaving lasting harm on his victims.
His resignation from the state Senate in 2022, following revelations of his involvement with a man accused of possessing child sexual abuse material, highlights the broader issue of accountability in positions of power.
As Holmberg faces sentencing, the full extent of his crimes continues to reverberate, calling attention to the need for stronger safeguards against abuse in positions of authority.
