Florida officials are seeking the death penalty in the case against Nathan Douglas Holmberg, 36, whom a Hernando County grand jury has indicted on 25 counts involving the sexual abuse of children under 12, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Wednesday.
The charges include seven counts of capital sexual battery and follow a multiagency investigation by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
“If you harm a child, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will seek the maximum penalty under the law,” Uthmeier said.
“The nature of these crimes demanded a statewide special task force, and the investigation is far from over. Hernando County Sheriff [Al] Nienhuis and State Attorney [Bill] Gladson have the full support of our Office of Statewide Prosecution,” he added.
Holmberg was indicted on Monday after forensics detectives Vasilero and Weston discovered more than 650 photos and videos of child sexual abuse material on Holmberg’s cellphone, many of them voyeuristic in nature, reports The Hernando Sun.
More than 50 files allegedly depicted capital sexual acts involving three victims, and detectives have identified a total of eight children they believe were groomed by Holmberg.
His alleged victims ranged in age from 3 to 10, with most between 4 and 8 years old. Deputies also found 30 additional electronic devices that may contain more evidence.
The investigation began on Oct. 20 after an unnamed “good Samaritan” discovered evidence of sexual acts against a child on Holmberg’s phone and reported it to authorities, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said.
Detectives brought Holmberg in under the pretense of investigating him for having a suspended driver’s license and later confronted him with the evidence.
Police said Holmberg admitted to abusing additional victims but did not specify how many or who they were.
State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit said the case demanded the “full weight of the law.”
“When an individual commits a truly heinous crime, as in this case, the full weight of the law must be brought to bear,” Gladson said.
“There is no place for mercy when the acts committed against a child are so unspeakable,” he added. “Accountability will be had, any chance of recidivism will be nonexistent, and justice will be served.”
Nienhuis said Holmberg had been “prowling” across Pasco, Pinellas, and Hernando counties, as well as in the Flagler–St. Augustine–Jacksonville area.
Before moving to Weeki Wachee two years ago, Holmberg had lived in New Port Richey, Jacksonville, and Largo.
Authorities said he often volunteered as a babysitter, at churches, and even as a coach, though not within the Hernando County School District, and that “a good portion, if not a majority” of his alleged victims were local residents.
Nienhuis said Holmberg’s alleged crimes mirrored those in a 2012 Jacksonville case, in which he was arrested for capital sexual battery but ultimately pleaded guilty to child abuse.
He was not designated as a sexual offender or predator at that time, and detectives believe all of the acts found on his phone occurred after that conviction.
Holmberg is being held without bond, and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with Uthmeier and Gladson.
Authorities declined to release identifying details about the victims and urged the public not to share information that could further harm survivors.
Families with information are asked to contact the sheriff’s tip line at 352-797-3899 or email tips@hernandosheriff.org.
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