STATE SEN. RAY HOLMBERG Archives

BCI reports reveal emails Ray Holmberg sent to others detailing decades of sex abuse

April 26, 2025

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – Newly released documents from the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation reveal former state Sen. Ray Holmberg discussed underage male prostitutes with several North Dakota lawmakers, businessmen, and entrepreneurs. The report says Holmberg communicated over email with Bruce Gjovig, the former CEO and founder of the UND Center for Innovation. Holmberg told Gjovig in a conversation…

Feds say former state lawmaker has history of exploiting vulnerable boys

Grand Forks Republican Ray Holmberg will be sentenced March 26 in Fargo.

March 20, 2025

Jim Monk,

Ray HolmbergFARGO (KVRR) – Federal prosecutors say a former North Dakota state senator who pleaded guilty to traveling overseas with the intent of having sex with minors has a history of using his power to exploit vulnerable boys. Ray Holmberg will be sentenced March 26 in Fargo. According to a sentencing memorandum filed by Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Puhl, the…

Former State Sen. Ray Holmberg accused of violating terms of presentence release

August 2, 2024

KVRR Staff,

FARGO (KVRR/KFGO) – A former North Dakota senator who plans to admit to traveling abroad with plans to sexually abuse a child has repeatedly violated the conditions of his release, according to a new filing in U.S. District Court in Fargo. Former Sen. Ray Holmberg, a Grand Forks Republican, has accessed the internet multiple times without approval since he was…

Attorney General’s office releases emails of late Attorney General Stenehjem

March 27, 2024

KVRR Staff,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – Late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem’s emails that were first thought to be lost forever have been released by the Attorney General’s office through an open records request from KFGO News after they were recovered. The 2,700-page document, released Wednesday, contains about 2,000 thousand emails from Stenehjem’s personal phone, but reveals little new information related to his…

BCI computer forensic expert to testify during Holmberg’s sex crimes trial

November 3, 2023

Jim Monk,

Ray HolmbergFARGO (KVRR) – Court documents say federal prosecutors intend to call a forensic computer expert with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation during the trial of former state Sen. Ray Holmberg. Holmberg is accused of repeatedly traveling to Prague in the Czech Republic between 2011 and 2016 for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts with a…

Resigning North Dakota senator led lawmakers in travel costs

May 13, 2022

Jim Monk,

Ray HolmbergBISMARCK, N.D. – A North Dakota state senator who is resigning following a report about text messages he exchanged with an inmate ran up travel expenses the past decade that are more than 14 times what lawmakers bill state taxpayers on average. Travel records reviewed by The Associated Press show Republican Ray Holmberg has made taxpayer-funded trips to four…

Burgum monitoring ‘situation’ involving state senator’s texts with inmate

April 21, 2022

Jim Monk,

Ray HolmbergBISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – Gov. Doug Burgum says he supports State Sen. Ray Holmberg’s decision to step down from his leadership role, just days after reports that said Holmberg exchanged scores of text messages with Nicholas Derosier, who is jailed and facing federal child pornography charges. Holmberg resigned Wednesday as head of a powerful panel that oversees the Legislature’s…

Current Longest-Service State Senator To Retire in North Dakota

March 7, 2022

TJ Nelson,

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) — A man who is tied for the current longest-serving state senator in the nation is ready to retire. State Senator Ray Holmberg of Grand Forks announced that he will retire from the legislature at the end of his current term on November 30. Holmberg, a Republican, has served in the Senate since Dec. 1, 1976,…