Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that a Hernando County grand jury has indicted Nathan Douglas Holmberg, 36, on twenty-five counts related to child sexual battery. The charges include seven counts of capital sexual battery on a child under twelve. This indictment follows an investigation led by the Hernando County Sheriff, the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
The State of Florida plans to seek the death penalty in its case against Holmberg. Attorney General Uthmeier stated, “If you harm a child, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will seek the maximum penalty under the law. 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.”
State Attorney Bill Gladson commented on the gravity of the charges: “When an individual commits a truly heinous crime, as in this case, the full weight of the law must be brought to bear. 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.”
Hernando County Sheriff Al Neinhuis added: “Florida is a state that is governed by the rule of law. 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 marks the first time such joint authority has been exercised at this level in Florida. Members from both the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office and Hernando County Sheriff’s Office are working together as part of a special task force with statewide authority granted by the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution. This arrangement allows investigators to follow leads across different jurisdictions without delay.
Holmberg was arrested on October 20, 2025 by Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies on initial charges including three counts of capital sexual battery on a child under twelve and one count related to promoting sexual performance by a child.
In recent years Florida has changed its legal approach regarding punishment for those convicted in such cases; legislation signed by Governor DeSantis in 2023 was intended to challenge previous Supreme Court rulings that prohibited use of capital punishment for those convicted solely for raping children.
The investigation remains ongoing and prosecutors may file additional charges as more information comes to light.
