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United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that five defendants were collectively sentenced to over 500 months of imprisonment for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking case out of Wadena County. The following individuals were sentenced: Robert Joseph Anderson, 40, of Wadena, 132 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine; Aaron Thomas Heifort, 30, of Clitherall, 122 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine; Bill J

Lavern C. Kauffman, 24, has been charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual conduct in Todd County District Court. These charges come in the wake of serious allegations involving his older brother, Mervin Kauffman, who is facing 18 counts of criminal sexual conduct. The charges against Lavern include third-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly engaging in sexual penetration with a family member aged 16 or 17 on or around September 12, 2021. Additionally, he fac

Adam Charles McCoy, 43, of Pine River, is charged with four felony counts of criminal sexual conduct. The charges include two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving persons under 13 and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving fear of great bodily harm. Each charge carries a sentence of at least 144 months and up to 30 years in prison, as well as a potential fine of $40,000. According to the criminal complaint, the Wadena County Sheriff’

A Clarissa man has agreed to plead guilty to six of the 18 felony counts of criminal sexual conduct as part of a plea agreement filed in district court. According to court documents, Mervin Kauffman, 29, acknowledged that he reviewed the charges against him with his attorney and understands the allegations contained in the complaint. Under the agreement, Kauffman will plead guilty to six first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges: Counts I, III, VII, X, XIII and XVII. The

On May 16, around 11:37 p.m., a Todd County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on routine patrol in the city of Staples when he observed a vehicle committing a traffic violation. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver. During the traffic stop, the deputy observed signs of criminal activity. The deputy requested the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office K9 Nitro and his handler respond to the scene for assistance. Ultimately, K9 Nitro indicated the odor of narcotic

According to court documents, several charges against Father Aaron Kuhn were recently upgraded to felonies. Kuhn served as pastor of St. John the Baptist, Bluffton; St. Ann, Wadena; St. Joseph, Bertha; St. Hubert, Blue Grass; Assumption of Our Lady, Menahga; St. Michael, Motley; and Sacred Heart, Staples. On March 11, 2026, Kuhn was charged with stalking, which allegedly occurred from September 2019 to October 2022. However, the specific details of the stalking incidents r

According to court documents, several charges against Father Aaron Kuhn were recently upgraded to felonies. He served as pastor of St. John the Baptist, Bluffton; St. Ann, Wadena; St. Joseph, Bertha; St. Hubert, Blue Grass; Assumption of Our Lady, Menahga; St. Michael, Motley; and Sacred Heart, Staples. On March 11, 2026, Kuhn was charged with stalking, which allegedly occurred from September 2019 to October 2022. However, the specific details of the stalking incidents rem

Father Joseph Herzing is facing five felony charges. The charges include stalking, third-degree criminal sexual conduct, and three counts of threats of violence. He served as a priest at the parishes of Christ the King in Browerville, St. Joseph in Clarissa, St. Joseph in Grey Eagle, St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Long Prairie, and St. John the Baptist in Swanville. Herzing was prohibited from all public ministry, pending the outcome of the judicial process. However, Herzing

Jeramiah Christopher Raper, 47, of Long Prairie was apprehended following a high-speed pursuit on Friday, March 27. According to court documents, Raper was initially sought on a warrant issued by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. At approximately 6:20 p.m., a parole agent alerted a Todd County Sheriff’s Sergeant that Raper had been spotted at a gas station in Browerville driving a Subaru Impreza. The sergeant located the vehicle and a chase ensued. Raper sped away, r

by Trinity Gruenberg trinity@inhnews.com At the onset of a serene vacation, the Opelia family of Hewitt found themselves caught in unexpected chaos and violence while visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A wave of cartel violence erupted in Mexico on February 22–23, after Mexican military forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a raid in Tapalpa, Jalisco. Following his death, cartel membe