According to jail records from the Burleigh Morton County Detention Center, 71-year-old Terry Steinwand was arrested on Friday, September 5. He faces a felony count of gross sexual imposition with a victim under the age of 15.
Authorities say Steinwand was taken into custody by the Mandan Police Department. He remains held at the Burleigh Morton County Detention Center. A criminal complaint detailing the allegations has not yet been filed, and Steinwand has not yet made a court appearance.
Gross sexual imposition is a felony in North Dakota, carrying severe potential penalties. The case is expected to move forward once prosecutors file formal charges in court.
Steinwand retired from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in 2021 after roughly 40 years of service. He was appointed director of the agency in 2006 by then-Governor John Hoeven.
Officials have not released further details on the investigation or when Steinwand’s initial hearing may take place. Additional information will be available as court records are updated.
For more on North Dakota criminal statutes, visit the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Terry Steinwand