Deputies lead Ian Cramer out of a courtroom at the Mercer County Courthouse in Stanton, N.D., on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, after his sentencing. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)
STANTON, N.D. (KFGO) – A judge in western North Dakota Monday morning sentenced Ian Cramer, the son of Senator Kevin Cramer, to 28 years in prison in last December’s pursuit and crash that caused the death of a sheriff’s deputy.
Cramer, 43, pleaded guilty in September to charges that included homicide while fleeing law enforcement. He led law enforcement on a pursuit after he stole his mother’s SUV from a Bismarck hospital.
Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin was killed at the end of the pursuit, which lasted about 40 minutes.
Cramer was charged with homicide while fleeing a peace officer, preventing arrest and reckless endangerment — all felonies — as well as misdemeanor drug possession charges. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
Sen. Cramer, R-N.D., has said previously that his son suffers from mental illnesses that cause him to experience paranoia, hallucinations and other symptoms.
The Dec. 6 police chase started when Sen. Cramer’s wife, Kris, attempted to bring their son to the hospital for mental health care.
After his mother got out of the car, Ian Cramer took the vehicle and drove away, Sen. Cramer said in a December statement.
Court records state Ian Cramer reached speeds of over 100 mph during the pursuit.
Deputy Martin was attempting to deploy a tire-deflation device to stop Cramer when Cramer’s vehicle struck Martin’s unoccupied patrol vehicle, according to court filings. The patrol vehicle hit Martin as he was standing outside the car.
Martin was rushed to Lake Sakakawea Medical Center, where he died.
Comments