Attorney General’s Office and Todd County Attorney’s Office secure convictions for six counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct

Mervin C. Kauffman pleads guilty to sexual assault of six juveniles

June 5, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) — Yesterday afternoon, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office secured the conviction of Mervin C. Kauffman on six counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct following incidents that occurred between 2015 through 2022 in Clarissa, Minnesota. 

Between August 14, 2015, through September 5, 2022, Kauffman, who was over the age of 18, sexually assaulted six juveniles at his family home in Todd County. At the plea hearing, Kauffman acknowledged he had a significant relationship to each of the victims.

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.

“Mervin Kauffman’s crimes shock the conscience of all decent Minnesotans,” said Attorney General Ellison. “My heart breaks for the children he assaulted, and I pray for their recovery and well-being. I will continue to do whatever I can to protect young Minnesotans and to ensure that those who harm children face justice. I’m grateful to the Todd County Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office, as well as to the members of my Criminal Division for the work they all did to ensure Kauffman is held accountable.”

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