Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the state will seek the death penalty against Nathan Douglas Holmberg, 36, who has been indicted on 25 charges, including seven counts of capital sexual battery on a child under 12.
The indictment follows an extensive investigation conducted by a multi-jurisdictional task force involving the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Holmberg was originally arrested on October 20, 2025, on charges including three counts of capital sexual battery on a child under 12 and one count of promoting sexual performance by a child. The latest indictment significantly expands those charges.
Attorney General Uthmeier emphasized the state’s resolve to pursue the harshest possible punishment.
“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.”
State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit underscored the state’s commitment to severe accountability.
“When an individual commits a truly heinous crime, as in this case, the full weight of the law must be brought to bear,” Gladson stated. “There is no place for mercy when the acts committed against a child are so unspeakable.”
Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis also condemned the crimes, noting the deep betrayal of trust involved.
“It is especially heinous to victimize totally innocent and very young children,” he said. “Anyone who perverts that trust for sexual gratification can expect the full weight of Florida’s criminal justice system.”
The decision to pursue capital punishment follows Florida’s 2023 legislation authorizing the death penalty for child rapists—legislation designed to challenge the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2008 ruling in Kennedy v. Louisiana, which barred the death penalty in cases where the victim was not killed.
This case marks the first operation under Florida’s new statewide child protection task force, enabling investigators to coordinate across multiple judicial circuits and jurisdictions under the Attorney General’s authority.
Leave a Reply