Eric Dione Birth sentenced to 7.5 years for criminal sexual conduct

Birth received 90-month sentence after pleading guilty to three counts of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct following sexual assaults of students

May 7, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) — Today, a Winona County court sentenced Eric Dione Birth to 90 months in prison for sexually assaulting students in Winona, Minnesota.  Birth previously pleaded guilty to three counts of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct involving three different victims.

Birth served as a coach on the Winona Senior High School track team beginning in the spring of 2016.  In 2021, Birth became a licensed teacher and taught physical education at Winona Senior High School, in addition to serving as a track coach. At the plea hearing, Birth admitted he sexually assaulted three different high school students in 2016, 2017, and 2022, while employed as a coach and teacher at the school.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Birth upon a referral from Winona County Attorney Karin Sonneman 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.

“Eric Birth abused his authority as a teacher and coach to harm multiple young people, and today he was held accountable for his heinous crimes,” said Attorney General Ellison. “I hope this can provide a modicum of solace to Birth’s victims, though I know justice can be cold comfort in cases as appalling as this. I’m praying for the well-being of the young people Birth abused, and I will continue to do everything I can to hold those who harm children accountable.”

The Winona Police Department investigated this crime. Attorney General Ellison is grateful to the Winona Police Department, as well as Winona County Attorney Karin Sonneman and her team at the Winona County Attorney’s Office for their assistance with this matter.