Attorney General’s Office and Todd County Attorney’s Office secure conviction for third degree criminal sexual conduct

Lavern C. Kauffman pleads guilty to sexual assault of a juvenile

December 17, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — Today, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has secured the conviction of Lavern C. Kauffman for third degree criminal sexual conduct.  Kauffman pleaded guilty following a 2021 sexual assault of a juvenile in Clarissa, Minnesota.

On September 12, 2021, Kauffman, who was over the age of 18, sexually assaulted a juvenile at his family home in Todd County. At the plea hearing, Kauffman acknowledged he had a significant relationship to the juvenile.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Kauffman upon a referral from Todd County Attorney John Lindemann under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01, which provides, “Upon request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases as the attorney general deems proper.” The authority vested in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is primarily civil.  Aside from referrals submitted under section 8.01 and Medicaid fraud, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts. That authority generally rests with city and county attorneys.

“It breaks my heart when adults harm children,” said Attorney General Ellison. “I will do everything I can to hold the people who commit such vile acts accountable. Justice and basic human decency demand it. And while such accountability cannot change what happened, I hope it brings some measure of solace to the victim and her loved ones.”

Attorney General Ellison thanks the Todd County Sheriff’s Office, who assisted in the investigation and successful prosecution of this crime.