Son of North Dakota Senator Sentenced to 28 Years

Ian Cramer, 43, the son of Senator Cramer (R-N.D.), is headed to jail for nearly three decades if he is forced to serve the full sentence.

Cramer was convicted after ramming a police cruiser that killed 53-year-old Mercer County Sheriff's Deputy Paul Martin on December 6, 2023.

The case, however, is not as simple as that.

Complicated Case

Ian Cramer has a history of mental illness, and that is what actually led to the death of the deputy.

Cramer had a mental breakdown, demanding to talk to his brother, only his brother had been dead for several years.

His mother was taking Ian to the emergency room. When she got out of the car, Ian jumped over to the driver’s side and took off.

He eventually rammed the police cruiser, with the deputy outside the car, getting crushed by the vehicle, and Ian fled the scene.

The deputy was later pronounced dead, and Ian led police on an hour-long chase afterward.

He pleaded guilty and expressed remorse for the killing, but there was not going to be any leniency in this case, with State District Judge Bobbi Weiler sentencing Cramer to 38 years, with a 10-year suspended sentence and credit for time served.

When Cramer gets out, he will have to serve three years of probation.

However, the judge did state that Cramer will likely have the opportunity for early release if treated for his mental issues.

Judge Weiler stated, "These are not mandatory minimums, which means that you're probably going to serve a small portion of that 28 years and be out on parole, so that'll ... give you an opportunity to have a second chance that Deputy Martin does not have, nor does his family have.”

Mercer County State's Attorney Todd Schwarz added that Cramer was under the influence that day, having admitted to having used methamphetamine and bath salts on the day of the killing.