FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A former North Dakota lawmaker who was one of the most powerful members of the Legislature is scheduled to plead guilty Thursday in federal court to traveling to Europe with the intent to pay for sex with a minor.
Ray Holmberg, 80, of Grand Forks, was indicted in October 2023 for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity and receipt and attempted receipt of child sexual abuse material.
He signed a plea agreement in June indicating he will plead guilty to the travel charge, and prosecutors will recommend a sentence at the low end of the guideline range and move to dismiss the other charge. Holmberg would have to register as a sex offender.
The travel charge carries maximum penalties of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release.
In the plea agreement, Holmberg acknowledged that from around June 2011 to November 2016, he “repeatedly traveled from Grand Forks, North Dakota to Prague, Czech Republic with a motivating purpose of engaging in commercial sex with adolescent-age individuals under the age of 18 years.”
Holmberg has been under numerous conditions of release, including travel restrictions, location monitoring and surrender of his passport.
On Friday, the pretrial services officer filed a report saying Holmberg hadn't met those conditions.
She wrote that he was verbally reprimanded and reminded of his pretrial release conditions after he left his residence once and also visited an adult novelty store, each without approval. He also “continuously” accessed the Internet for unapproved reasons, and did not allow updates and maintenance to the monitoring software on his cellular device, she said.
In May, Holmberg admitted to using alcohol after testing positively. Later that month he was told to remove an unapproved iPad from his home, and the judge added a condition restricting Holmberg's access to electronic devices.
Since then, he continued to access the Internet for unapproved reasons, the officer wrote.
“Due to the statutory mandate of detention, respectfully, the defendant is not viewed as a suitable candidate for self-surrender,” U.S. Pretrial Services Officer Christine Argall wrote.
Holmberg's attorney, Mark Friese, declined an interview request. Holmberg was not arrested.
Former U.S. Attorney Tim Purdon said the report is a routine filing but the alleged violations are serious, given the nature of the Holmberg's case.
“I am particularly troubled by the idea that he's accessing the Internet on unapproved devices that are not being monitored. That is really concerning when you've got somebody facing the charges of the type he was facing,” Purdon said. It is not unusual that Holmberg wasn't arrested, he added.
Holmberg, a Republican, served in the state Senate from 1976 until mid-2022. He initially announced he wouldn't seek reelection, but he resigned following reporting from The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead that he exchanged dozens of text messages with a man in jail for child sexual abuse material.
Holmberg's trial was scheduled to begin in September in Fargo. He initially pleaded not guilty.
For many years, Holmberg chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee, which writes budgets. He also chaired the Legislative Management panel, which handles various business between biennial sessions. That job let him approve his own travel.
Records obtained by The Associated Press showed Holmberg took dozens of trips throughout the U.S. and to other countries since 1999. Destinations included cities in more than 30 states as well as Canada, Puerto Rico and Norway.
Earlier this year, the North Dakota School Boards Association returned about $142,000 to the state and ended its role in the Global Bridges teacher exchange program months after releasing travel records following Holmberg’s indictment that showed he traveled to Prague and other European cities in 2011, 2018 and 2019, utilizing state funds.
It’s unclear whether the misconduct alleged by authorities occurred during any of those trips.
The factors in Holmberg’s case make it arguably the most significant political scandal in North Dakota history, Purdon said.
“You have a very high-profile politician. You have literally the worst allegation you possibly could come up with, the sexual abuse and rape of a child," he said. “And then you have the idea that tax dollars paid for the plane ticket.”
FILE - North Dakota Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, speaks on the Senate floor at the state Capitol in Bismarck, N.D., in November 2021. (Mike McCleary/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, File)
Reactions to the death of baseball's stolen base king Rickey Henderson:
“A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul. Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball was paramount. Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind.” — Wife Pamela Henderson and his daughters
“The fraternity of players all over the world, mourn the loss of a friend, former teammate, and one of the greatest and most impactful Players to play our game. ... He inspired future generations with his speed, aggressiveness and trademark neon green batting gloves. Off the field, he never ceased to entertain with his colorful quotes and references to himself in the third person. He was an American original, in every sense of the term.” — MLBPA executive director Tony Clark
“For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting. ... Rickey earned universal respect, admiration and awe from sports fans." — Commissioner Rob Manfred
"He was one of the best players that I ever played with and obviously the best leadoff hitter in baseball.” — Hall of Famer and former teammate Dave Winfield
“I’m heartbroken and devastated. Rickey Henderson was an incredibly talented player but an even better human. I’ll never forget all the incredible memories we created together. Memories I’ll never forget. Rest easy my friend.” — Former Athletics teammate Jose Canseco
“He’s the greatest leadoff hitter of all time, and I’m not sure there’s a close second.” — Former Athletics general manager Billy Beane
“It wasn’t until I saw Rickey that I understood what baseball was about. Rickey Henderson is a run, man. That’s it. When you see Rickey Henderson, I don’t care when, the score’s already 1-0. If he’s with you, that’s great. If he’s not, you won’t like it.” — Former Athletics teammate Mitchell Page
“He was undoubtedly the most legendary player in Oakland history and made an indelible mark on generations of A’s fans over his 14 seasons wearing the Green and Gold. For those who knew him personally, Rickey was much more than a franchise icon and a Baseball Hall of Famer. He was a friend and mentor to every player, coach, and employee who passed through the Oakland Coliseum or played a game on the field that came to bear his name.” — Statement from the Athletics
“Rickey Henderson was an all-time great player who commanded our attention like few players before or since, transcending our traditional understanding of how elite and thrilling a single player could be in the batter’s box and on the basepaths. When he stepped across the white lines, he was magnetic. Opponents, teammates and fans simply couldn’t take their eyes off him." — Statement from the New York Yankees
“We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson. His impact on the game, in the community, and on our organization will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.” — Statement from the Toronto Blue Jays
“Saddened by the passing of our friend, Rickey Henderson, the greatest leadoff hitter in MLB history! Was proud to induct him into our Hall of Game in 2015 along with Fergie Jenkins, Ozzie Smith and the late Luis Tiant. Condolences to his family, friends and legion of fans!” — Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
“A true Bay Area legend, Rickey’s larger-than-life personality and love for the game made him a beloved figure across the baseball world.” — Statement from the San Francisco Giants
“One of the all-time great baseball players and I think one of the all-time great athletes in the history of our country. Just stunning athleticism and a fun baseball player to watch and beloved in the Bay. ... It was like watching Bo Jackson or LeBron, just one of those guys who was not human. He didn’t look like the rest of us, nor did he play like the rest of the league.” — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr
“Rickey Henderson was not only the greatest base stealer of all-time, but one of the most memorable personalities of his generation. The enthusiasm and energy he brought to Cooperstown each year will truly be missed. Our thoughts are with his wife, Pamela, and their family.” – Baseball Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark
“Rickey was simply the best player I ever played with. He could change the outcome of a game in so many ways. It puts a smile on my face just thinking about him. I will miss my friend.” — Former Yankees teammate Don Mattingly
“When you’re old and grey, sitting around with your buds talking about your career in baseball, you are going to talk about Rickey. He was just amazing to watch. There were great outfielders. There were great base stealers. There were great home run hitters. Rickey was a combination of all of those players. He did things out there on the field that the rest of us dreamed of.” — Former Yankees teammate Ron Guidry
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FILE - New York Yankees' Rickey Henderson, left, takes off to steal third base during a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium in New York, May 21, 1986. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine, File)
FILE - Oakland Athletics' Rickey Henderson steals second base against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., April 10, 1991. (AP Photo/Alan Greth, File)
FILE - Oakland Athletics' Rickey Henderson, left, goes sliding into third base to steal his 939th career base to set a new all-time major league record during their game with the New York Yankees at Oakland, May 1, 1991. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
FILE - Former Oakland Athletics player Rickey Henderson looks on before a baseball game between the Athletics and the Texas Rangers in Oakland, Calif., Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
FILE - Rickey Henderson waves to the crowd during a presentation after he stole third base against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning to break Ty Cobb's career stolen base record, at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., May 30, 1990. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
