Virginia pastor accused of hitting wife on flight after her 1st class upgrade

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) — A Virginia pastor faces federal charges after authorities say he struck his epileptic wife in the head on a flight to Alaska.

Williamsburg resident Roger Holmberg Sr., 75, told authorities he was upset that his wife had been upgraded to first class, according to an FBI affidavit.

The incident led to the victim, who’s been married to Holmberg for about a year and a half after the death of Holmberg’s previous wife, telling law enforcement about other alleged abuse.

The incident happened on an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Anchorage on July 2, while the couple were en route to an event related to Holmberg’s ministry, according to the affidavit.

Two witnesses spoke to law enforcement about the incident. One said Holmberg swung on the victim after he asked her “How the [expletive] did you get the upgrade?” The victim replied “I’m [a] gold point member. Don’t speak to me like that.”

The victim then relayed to authorities what she told that witness, that Holmberg had a history of abusing her and even broke the victim’s finger in an incident last September, the affidavit reads. The victim also said Holmberg knew she had epilepsy and that hitting her head could cause a seizure.

The victim added that she’d been wanting to report Holmberg’s alleged abuse, but had yet to do so until the plane incident.

When interviewed by police, Holmberg said he “tapped” his wife on the head to get her attention, and that he wasn’t a violent person. He said the couple had been going to marriage counseling and said she had anger issues.

He said he broke her finger after she grabbed his leg while he was driving, according to the affidavit. He also accused her of previously grabbing his genitals “with such force that he was in pain.”

Holmberg was arrested by law enforcement after the incident and charged with simple assault, and taken to the Anchorage Correctional Center. He could face a fine and/or prison time up to six months if convicted.

Holmberg lists himself as the pastor of Grace Baptist Temple, an independent Baptist church in Anchorage, and as “Alaska’s #1 Gospel Singer.“

Records show Holmberg’s been in the Williamsburg area since fall of 2023.