Former North Dakota Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Europe for Sex with Minors
Ray Holmberg, a former powerful North Dakota lawmaker, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of traveling to Europe with the intent to pay for sex with a minor. The 80-year-old admitted to paying young male masseuses during visits to the Czech Republic, where he had sexual contact with some of them. Although he claimed not to know for certain about their ages, he acknowledged that his motive was to engage in commercial sex with adolescent-age individuals under 18.
Holmberg, who served over 45 years in the North Dakota Senate before resigning in 2022, faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for his travel charge. The plea agreement also involved dismissing other charges and recommending a sentence at the low end of the guideline range.
During the court hearing, details were revealed about Holmberg’s trips to Prague, his involvement with a landscaper named Nicholas James Morgan-Derosier, and allegations of sexual exploitation of minors. Despite his retirement in 2002, Holmberg admitted to engaging in illicit activities after retirement, stating that he was drawn to the Czech Republic due to his interest in opera and castles.
The judge allowed Holmberg to remain released under certain restrictions until his sentencing. The case, described as one of the most significant political scandals in North Dakota history by former U.S. Attorney Tim Purdon, highlights the ongoing battle against child sex trafficking. North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley emphasized the importance of Holmberg’s guilty plea in combating the exploitation of children both domestically and globally.
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