FARGO, North Dakota (NORTH DAKOTA MONITOR) – Former state Sen. Ray Holmberg turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals Service, the agency confirmed Friday afternoon, according to the North Dakota Monitor.

It was not clear where Holmberg would be held in custody.

“No other information will be released,” Dallas Carlson, U.S. Marshal for the District of North Dakota, said in a statement.

Holmberg, once one of North Dakota’s most powerful state legislators, pleaded guilty in August to one count of traveling abroad with the intent to have sexual relations with teenagers under 18.

District Judge Daniel Hovland on Tuesday ordered Holmberg to report to the U.S. Marshals Service by 1 p.m. Friday after U.S. prosecutors asked for a review of the former lawmaker’s release following his guilty plea.

Typically, people convicted of sexual crimes against children remain in custody while awaiting sentencing. Hovland allowed Holmberg to remain at his home in Grand Forks on the recommendation of both the prosecution and defense, due to his age and medical problems.

Conditions of Holmberg’s release included mandatory location monitoring, no contact with victims or witnesses, limited Internet access and no drugs or alcohol, among other terms.

The U.S. Probation Office reported in court documents that Holmberg has violated these rules multiple times, including by accessing social media sites without prior approval, frequenting an adult novelty store and testing positive for alcohol.

In light of the U.S. Probation Office’s findings, First Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Puhl earlier this month asked Hovland to review Holmberg’s release. Prosecutors also claimed that Holmberg’s medical problems at the time of the deal have improved.

Holmberg’s attorney, Mark Friese, has said the U.S. Probation Office’s allegations are inaccurate and that Holmberg still faces numerous medical problems that require him to remain out of custody.

A sentencing date for Holmberg has not been set.

The former senator faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release.

In Holmberg’s plea deal, prosecutors agreed to seek a sentence at the low end of federal sentencing guidelines. Friese has previously said sentencing guidelines call for three to four years in prison, which can vary depending on other factors determined by the court.

Holmberg resigned from her North Dakota Senate seat in 2022 after federal investigators searched her home in late 2021.

Related coverage:

Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.