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Holmberg indicted on federal charge (updated)

By Doug Barrett Oct 30, 2023 | 12:43 PM

A former longtime North Dakota lawmaker has been indicted on a federal charge alleging he traveled to Prague with the intent to have sex with a minor.

The four-page indictment against former Republican state Sen. Ray Holmberg also charges him with one count of receiving images depicting child sexual abuse. The indictment was filed Thursday in federal court in North Dakota.

It accuses the 79-year-old Holmberg of traveling from North Dakota to the Czech Republic from about June 2011 to November 2016 with intent to have sex with a person under age 18.

During an initial appearance in U.S. District Court today Holmberg entered a not guilty plea.  An initial trial date is set for December  5th.

Holmberg served over 45 years in the North Dakota Senate until his resignation last year after it was revealed that he exchanged text messages with a person who was jailed on charges related to child sexual abuse images.

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley has released a statement commending the United States Attorney’s Office for directing this “painstaking investigation in the pursuit of justice.”

Holmberg, a retired school counselor, chaired the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, which helps writes budgets.

The Republican was first elected to his District 17 Senate seat in 1976.

 

 

AP/KNOX

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