A former legislator from North Dakota has been accused of traveling to engage in sexual activity with a minor and possessing images depicting the sexual abuse of children.

A former Republican state senator from North Dakota has been accused of traveling to Europe with the purpose of paying for sexual services from a minor and receiving images of child sexual abuse, according to a newly released federal indictment on Monday.

79-year-old state Senator Ray Holmberg, who has been in office for a long time, was taken into custody on Monday. He was later released after entering a plea of not guilty in U.S. District Court in Fargo. His trial is scheduled for December 5th.

The prosecutors released a statement stating that Holmberg made multiple trips to Prague, Czech Republic between June 2011 and November 2016 with the intention of paying for sexual services from a minor under the age of 18. The indictment alleges that Holmberg used false names and attempted to obtain images depicting child sexual abuse between November 2012 and March 2013.

Holmberg was a member of the North Dakota Senate for over 45 years before stepping down last year. This was in response to The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead’s report that he had been exchanging numerous text messages with an individual who was imprisoned for possessing child sexual abuse images.

Holmberg’s lawyer, Mark Friese, stated via text that Holmberg was under investigation by authorities for over 2 years, but they have presented no recent evidence. The alleged conduct occurred over a decade ago.

Friese stated that Holmberg was released under certain conditions and the judge did not mandate the posting of a bond.

Holmberg did not immediately respond to a text message sent to him after his release on Monday. His phone did not have voicemail, preventing a message from being left.

In March 2022, Holmberg, who was the head of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee responsible for creating budgets, declared that he would not be running for re-election. He stated that the reason for his decision was due to stress and a reduced capacity to focus on important matters and remember details, leading to his eventual resignation.

Rich Wardner, the former Majority Leader of the North Dakota Senate, expressed to The Associated Press that he was deeply saddened and let down by the indictment.

A Republican senator, Wardner, who worked alongside Holmberg for 25 years, expressed concern over the potential impact of a situation involving a former public servant in North Dakota. Despite his past positive contributions, the current uncertainty erases any good he may have done.

According to Wardner, if Holmberg is found guilty, his long history of serving the community will be overshadowed and only the negative aspects will be remembered.

David Hogue, the current Senate Majority Leader, chose not to provide a statement regarding the indictment.

From 2013 through mid-April 2022, Holmberg’s travel records show that he was refunded approximately $126,000 for almost 70 trips outside of his state. These trips included destinations such as 48 cities in the U.S., as well as Canada, Puerto Rico, and various countries in Europe. This information was gathered from a review of his travel records by the AP.

In November 2021, law enforcement conducted a search of his residence in Grand Forks, where they confiscated video discs and other objects.

The charges were brought against Nicholas James Morgan-Derosier following his admission of guilt in federal court last month for six instances of possessing images depicting child sexual abuse and one instance of receiving and distributing such images. As reported by The Forum, Morgan-Derosier was the individual communicating with Holmberg via text while in jail.

Morgan-Derosier is set to receive his sentence in January. A representative for the two federal public defenders who defended Morgan-Derosier did not promptly reply to a phone call regarding his situation.

Source: independent.co.uk