Former North Dakota state senator, Ray Holmberg, has been charged with multiple crimes related to child sexual abuse, according to a federal indictment unsealed on Monday. The 79-year-old retired Republican senator has been accused of traveling to Prague, Czech Republic, with the intention of paying for sex with a minor. Prosecutors allege that Holmberg made these trips multiple times between June 2011 and November 2016. Additionally, he faces charges of receiving and attempting to receive images depicting child sexual abuse, which are said to have occurred from November 2012 to March 2013.

Holmberg, who served in the North Dakota Senate for over 45 years, was arrested on Monday and pleaded not guilty to the charges during his appearance in U.S. District Court in Fargo. His trial is scheduled for December 5th. Following his resignation last year, news outlet The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead revealed that Holmberg had exchanged numerous text messages with an individual who was jailed on charges related to child sexual abuse images.

Holmberg's attorney, Mark Friese, claims that the allegations against his client are based on conduct that took place over a decade ago and that authorities have been investigating him for at least two years without finding any recent evidence. Holmberg was released on certain conditions, and no bond was required. However, attempts to contact him after his release were unsuccessful.

The indictment has shocked and disappointed many, including former North Dakota Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner, who served alongside Holmberg for nearly 25 years. Wardner expressed his sadness, stating that Holmberg's alleged actions overshadow his positive contributions to the state. Current Senate Majority Leader David Hogue declined to comment on the indictment.

Holmberg's extensive international travel also came under scrutiny. According to an investigation of his travel records, he was reimbursed approximately $126,000 for nearly 70 out-of-state trips between 2013 and mid-April 2022, which included visits to various U.S. cities, Canada, Puerto Rico, and several European countries. Law enforcement officials had searched his home in November 2021, seizing video discs and other items.

The indictment follows the recent guilty plea of Nicholas James Morgan-Derosier, who was involved in exchanging text messages with Holmberg from jail and is facing charges related to child sexual abuse images. Morgan-Derosier is scheduled to be sentenced in January. No immediate response was received from the spokesperson for the federal public defenders representing him.

If Holmberg is convicted, his decades of public service will likely be overshadowed by the negative aspects of the case. The former senator's resignation in March 2022 was attributed to stress and a weakened ability to concentrate and recall events. The powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, which Holmberg chaired, is responsible for writing budgets.