Former North Dakota State Senator Sentenced to 10 Years for Seeking Commercial Sex with Minors in Prague

A former North Dakota state legislator was sentenced to 10 years in prison for traveling to Prague, where he engaged in the sexual exploitation of children. Raymon "Ray" Everett Holmberg, 81, from Grand Forks, visited Prague 14 times between 2011 and 2021. He stayed at a brothel known for catering to men interested in adolescent boys. While there, Holmberg reportedly paid for sexual acts, sometimes using the alias “Sean Evans” to avoid drawing attention to his actions.

Witnesses reported that Holmberg was cautious about his identity, wanting to keep his name off the brothel’s registry due to his status as a public official. He allegedly solicited young boys in a public park near the main train station and encouraged friends to join him in Prague, sharing images and details about his sexual experiences. He even claimed to have engaged with boys as young as 12.

Holmberg’s actions were not confined to Prague. He also developed an online relationship with a 16-year-old boy from Canada, pretending to be a teen himself. He manipulated this boy into sending explicit images, highlighting the alarming trend of online predators targeting minors.

This case underscores a larger issue: child exploitation is a growing problem that extends beyond borders. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, reports of online exploitation increased by 97% in 2021 compared to previous years. This alarming statistic highlights how critical it is to address this epidemic globally.

Holmberg pleaded guilty to charges related to his illicit conduct in August 2024. The case was handled by the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, signaling the seriousness with which authorities treat such crimes.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating child exploitation, which started in 2006. The project coordinates resources at all levels of government to apprehend and prosecute offenders and rescue victims. It’s a reminder of the ongoing fight against child sexual abuse, both in local communities and on a global scale.

For more on Project Safe Childhood and related resources, visit the official website.

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