Former North Dakota Game and Fish director accused of child sex crime has bond set at $5K

BISMARCK,N.D. – Former North Dakota Game and Fish Department director Jody W. Mellberg,61,of Bismarck,has been accused of felony sexual abuse of a child and has had a $5,000 cash or surety bond set,according to court documents filed Tuesday. Mellberg was director of the state agency from 2011 until his retirement in December 2023.

The criminal complaint alleges the abuse occurred between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018. Mellberg was arrested Monday and made his initial appearance in Burleigh County District Court on Tuesday.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 14. If convicted, Mellberg faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation.