FARGO — The North Dakota U.S. Attorney’s office has released the 2024 Community Report, which summarizes the office’s efforts over the court of 2024 in the courtroom and communities throughout the district.

“In 2024, the career prosecutors, civil litigators, and staff charged with carrying out that critical mission protected kids from West Fargo to White Shield, relentlessly prosecuted drug traffickers and drivers of violent crime, and enforced laws that ensure fair access to services and opportunity for all North Dakotans,” U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider said.

The USAO-ND was ranked first of the 10 districts in the Eighth Circuit in defendants per assistant U.S. attorney and number six of 94 district’s nationally. The USAO-ND sported a conviction rate of over 95%, and 21 of the 22 criminal appeals filed in 2024 were resolved in the office’s favor.

Schneider’s report highlighted a number of cases prosecuted in 2024 against international fraudsters, white-collar criminals, narcotics distribution, child predators, as well as civil cases.

One of four cases involving violent crime against drivers mentioned in the report was that of Anthony Lee Davis, who pleaded guilty in April 2024 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Davis was charged in October 2021 after he discharged a 9mm pistol at people and property while driving a vehicle erratically around Minot. One individual was shot by Davis during the incident before he was arrested. Davis was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison in September, 2024.

Schneider also highlighted the convictions of former state senator Ray Holmberg and Nicholas Morgan-Derosier.

Morgan-Derosier of Grand Forks was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for receiving and possessing child pornography. The child sexual abuse material was located by Grand Forks Police and HOmeland Security investigators during the execution of search warrant at Morgan-Derosier’s residence. Investigators found more than 6,000 images and videos on at least six devices, and possessed nude images of prepubescent family members, and evidence at sentencing showed that Morgan-Derosier raped or sexually assault several other individuals when they were minors.

The investigation into Morgan-Derosier revealed ties between him and Holmberg, resulting in an investigation and his eventual arrest. Holmberg pleaded guilty in August, 2024 to traveling to Prague, Czech Republic, to have commercial sex with underage boys. Court documents indicate Holmberg took approximately 14 trips to Prague between 2011 and 2021 to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. Holmberg is currently detained pending sentencing.

“I could not be prouder of the career prosecutors, civil litigators, and talented staff of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota,” Schneider said. “They exhibit not just excellence in the courtroom, but also a commitment to our communities and law enforcement partners that makes North Dakota a safer place. Upholding the rule of law, keeping our country safe, and protecting civil rights is not just a mission statement, it’s the daily work of the office.”