In a landmark achievement, Jennifer Puhl has been named The Forum’s 2025 Area Person of the Year for her pivotal role in prosecuting former North Dakota state senator Ray Holmberg in an international child sex abuse case. Puhl, who serves as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney, credits the victims for their courage and strength in coming forward, stating that their testimonies were crucial to securing an indictment against Holmberg, a prominent Republican figure from Grand Forks.
Recognizing Victims and the Pursuit of Justice
Puhl emphasized that the credit for her success belongs to the victims. “The credit needs to go to the victims because they’re the ones that have the strength and the courage to come forward,” she noted. With over two decades of experience at the North Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office, her dedication to prosecuting child sex abuse cases has made a significant impact on the community.
North Dakota U.S. Attorney Nick Chase praised Puhl’s commitment, stating that she does not seek accolades for her work. “Jennifer is the antithesis of this,” he remarked. “She is the person who slogs away in her office, no fanfare.” Puhl described her work as rewarding, particularly in delivering justice for victims who have waited for years. “I tell people after almost 24 years that I still have to pinch myself,” she said, expressing her gratitude for working alongside supportive law enforcement agencies.
A Career Shaped by Determination
Originally from a family of plumbers, Puhl discovered her passion for law after working a summer in her father’s shop. She graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law and began her legal career as a clerk for North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Mary Muehlen Maring. Following her stint in a private Minneapolis firm, Puhl applied for a position at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, seizing what she described as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Her hiring by then-U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley in 2002 set the stage for her extensive career in federal prosecution. Wrigley commended Puhl’s integrity, intelligence, and tenacity. “She’s got guts. She’s got moxie. She is tenacious. She is studious about the law,” he stated.
Puhl’s notable work includes prosecuting high-profile child sex abuse cases, particularly those involving the internet. Her first trial, which she handled alongside Wrigley, resulted in the conviction of a former track coach for luring a minor online. This case marked North Dakota’s first federal internet luring conviction.
Since then, the volume of cyber tips regarding child sex abuse in North Dakota has surged from approximately 100 to an expected 2,300 by the end of 2023. Puhl highlighted the increasing complexity of these cases, noting that offenders have become more adept at concealing their actions.
As a coordinator for multiple initiatives within the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Project Safe Childhood and human trafficking prosecution, Puhl has continued to forge essential partnerships. She commended the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation for their exceptional forensic capabilities, noting their collaboration has been invaluable in addressing child exploitation.
Holmberg’s Case: A Long Road to Justice
Investigators spent years building a case against Holmberg, who served in the North Dakota legislature from 1977 until his resignation in March 2022. Evidence revealed he traveled to Prague multiple times from 2011 to 2016 with plans to sexually abuse children as part of commercial sex. The investigation required approval from the U.S. State and Justice Departments, adding layers of complexity.
While Holmberg was not charged with domestic crimes, court documents indicated he had a history of grooming young men, including students from the University of North Dakota. One victim reported that Holmberg sexually assaulted him in a hotel in Bismarck in 2012 but could not bring charges due to statutes of limitations. This victim’s testimony became foundational in building the international sex trafficking investigation against Holmberg.
The case also connected Holmberg to Nicholas Morgan-Derosier, a landscaper currently serving a 40-year sentence for possessing child sex abuse materials. Puhl described Morgan-Derosier as “perhaps one of the most dangerous people that we’ve ever prosecuted.”
After years of diligent investigation, Puhl secured an indictment against Holmberg in October 2023. He later pleaded guilty to charges related to traveling abroad for the purpose of sexually abusing children, making it the first such federal charge in North Dakota’s history. U.S. Judge Daniel Hovland sentenced Holmberg to 10 years in federal prison in March 2025.
Throughout the case, Puhl maintained that Holmberg exploited his position of power, targeting vulnerable individuals for decades. “I believe he was able to do that for so long because of his position,” she said, highlighting the systemic issues that allowed such abuse to persist. The determination to hold Holmberg accountable exemplifies Puhl’s commitment to justice and her dedication to protecting the vulnerable.
The recognition as The Forum’s 2025 Area Person of the Year not only honors Puhl’s accomplishments but also reinforces the importance of speaking out against abuse and the role of advocates in the pursuit of justice.