(The Center Square) – Former North Dakota Sen. Ray Holmberg is facing federal charges, accused of traveling out of the country to have sex with a child and possessing child pornography.
The federal indictment said Holmberg traveled to “Prague, Czech Republic, for the purpose of engaging in any illicit sexual conduct” with someone under 18. The travel occurred between June 24, 2011, and Nov. 1, 2016, according to the indictment.
He also received child pornography between the dates of Nov. 24, 2012, and March 4, 2013, the indictment said. Holmberg was taken into custody Monday and first appeared before a federal magistrate on Monday afternoon. Court records accessed late Monday afternoon did not indicate if he was granted bond or held in custody.
Holmberg, a Republican from Grand Forks, served in the North Dakota Senate from 1977 to 2022, according to the Legislature’s website. He resigned last year amid questions about texts with a child pornographer.
North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Monday he was briefed on the investigation shortly after he took office in February 2022.
“I immediately instructed the BCI to move this case to priority status where it remains today, due to the ongoing nature of this investigation,” Wrigley said, referring to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. “State and federal law enforcement remain committed to securing justice in this important case, and to shedding light on concerning matters surrounding these allegations.”
Wrigley’s office is encouraging anyone with information about the investigation to contact his office.
Homberg is a former school counselor with two children and five grandchildren, according to his legislative page. He once served as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
