Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Grand Jury Indictment and Intent to Seek the Death Penalty in Child Sexual Battery Case

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

BROOKSVILLE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that a Hernando County grand jury indicted Nathan Douglas Holmberg, 36, on twenty-five counts, which include seven counts of capital sexual battery on a child under twelve, following an investigation by the Hernando County Sheriff, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution. The State of Florida will seek the death penalty in its case against Holmberg.

"If you harm a child, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will seek the maximum penalty under the law," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "The nature of these crimes demanded a statewide special task force, and the investigation is far from over. Hernando County Sheriff Nienhuis and State Attorney Gladson have the full support of our Office of Statewide Prosecution."

“When an individual commits a truly heinous crime, as in this case, the full weight of the law must be brought to bear,” said State Attorney Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit. “There is no place for mercy when the acts committed against a child are so unspeakable. Accountability will be had, any chance of recidivism will be nonexistent, and justice will be served.” 

“Florida is a state that is governed by the rule of law,” said Hernando County Sheriff Al Neinhuis. “Although it is never acceptable to commit a crime against another person, it is especially heinous to victimize totally innocent and very young children, children who often put their complete trust in adults.  Anyone who perverts that trust for sexual gratification can expect the full weight Florida’s criminal justice system, and if found guilty, can expect the absolute harshest penalties.”

This investigation, which spans multiple judicial circuits, is the first to operate at this level of joint authority, with members of the State Attorney's Office for the Fifth Judicial Circuit and the Hernando County Sheriff's Office operating under a special task force with statewide authority granted by the Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution. This structure allows investigators to pursue leads and evidence across jurisdictions, ensuring no delay or obstacle stands in the way of protecting children and seeking justice.

On October 20, 2025, Hernando County Sheriff's deputies arrested Holmberg on three counts of capital sexual battery on a child under twelve and one count of promoting sexual performance by a child.

In 2023, Governor DeSantis signed legislation aimed at overturning the decision in Kennedy v. Louisiana, where the U.S. Supreme Court held that the death penalty could not be a punishment for raping a child.

This investigation is still ongoing. As the investigation unfolds, prosecutors may bring additional charges.

A copy of the indictment is available here. A copy of the notice of intent to seek the death penalty is available here. 

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