Ex-North Dakota lawmaker Ray Holmberg (R) gets 10 years for going to Europe with intent to pay for sex with a minor

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Ex-North Dakota lawmaker gets 10 years for going to Europe with intent to pay for sex with a minor

By JACK DURA
Updated 7:34 PM EDT, March 26, 2025

A once-powerful former North Dakota lawmaker was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison for traveling to Europe with the intent to pay for sex with a minor.

Former state senator Ray Holmberg’s attorney, Mark Friese, confirmed the sentence to The Associated Press but declined to comment after the hearing, which KFGO radio reported included seven hours of testimony, victim statements and an apology from the shackled 81-year-old.

Holmberg pleaded guilty last year in U.S. District Court in Fargo, North Dakota, to one count of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity.

KFGO reported that during Wednesday’s hearing, the defense and prosecution agreed that Holmberg should serve about three years because of his age and poor health, but federal Judge Daniel Hovland said Holmberg is still a threat to underage boys. Hovland called Holmberg’s character “egregious and despicable” and said that a 37-month sentence wouldn’t deter others.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/north-dakota-senator-holmberg-minors-europe-sex-039607b7c8057932c2971b7d9f33ee98

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Not mentioned in the AP article, but Holmberg is a Republican.

[MagickMuffin]

1. And working in Public Schools "child find coordinator" whatever that means

Raymon Everett Holmberg (born December 10, 1944) is a former educator, school counselor, Republican North Dakota state senator and convicted sex offender.

Once tied for the longest-serving state legislator in the United States, Holmberg resigned from the senate in 2022 (after 45.5 years) upon investigation into his alleged child sex tourism and receipt of child pornography. In 2024, he pled guilty to charges of the former. In 2025, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

From 1967 to 2002, Holmberg worked for Grand Forks Public Schools as a teacher, "child find coordinator", and school counselor. On November 2, 2023, a North Dakota Department of Public Instruction panel voted unanimously to suspend his lifetime teaching license, with a plan "to revoke it immediately if he pleads guilty to or is convicted of any charge" in his 2023 criminal case.

He was also previously a chairman of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

[Traildogbob]

2. Some one Alert MTG!!!

The czar of sexual impropriety. She will visit him in prison. A Hostage by Lib DemoCRAT extremists.
Probably enough GQP sex crime Hostages they can start a choir.

[GreenWave]

3. He is a child find coordinator. Child-like brain doesn't cut the mustard.

[Sneederbunk]

4. He needs to raise some serious cash

for a TSF pardon.

[progressoid]

5. No mention that he is a Republican?

I'm shocked.