Ray Holmberg (Sherburne County Jail photo)
FARGO (KFGO) – Former North Dakota State Sen. Ray Holmberg voluntarily turned himself in to law enforcement Friday.
US District Judge Daniel Hovland ruled earlier that Holmberg, who is 80, had not acted in good faith in adhering to all the conditions of his release while awaiting sentencing and, even if he had been, federal law mandated his detention.
Assistant US Attorney Jennifer Puhl had argued that the Grand Forks Republican was violating the conditions of his release by accessing social media and visiting a home in Fargo without prior approval.
Holmberg’s attorney countered that Holmberg’s advanced age and medical problems allowed for “exceptional reasons” for why he should remain out of jail while waiting to be sentenced.
In his detention order, Hovland said “exceptional reasons” are no longer valid to avoid mandatory detention once a defendant is found to be guilty of a federal crime.
US Marshal Dallas Carlson confirmed to KFGO News at midday Friday that Holmberg had complied with the judge’s order.
Holmberg was taken to the Sherburne County Jail in Elk River, Minnesota.
Holmberg pleaded guilty in August to traveling overseas to have sex with children. A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.
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