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An Eagle Bend man is facing three felony charges after authorities say stolen power tools were found at his home following a burglary at a rural Eagle Bend property. Tyler John Pittman, 26, is charged with third-degree burglary, theft, and receiving stolen property. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. According to the criminal complaint, a Todd County sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of stolen power tools on July 14

According to court documents, Jamie Allen Werner, 41, of Long Prairie, is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly using coercion to sexually penetrate another person and causing injury, and one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly using coercion to sexually penetrate another person. If convicted, the first-degree charge carries a mandatory prison sentence of at least 144 months (12 years) under Minnesota law, while

According to court documents, two 19-year-old men have been charged for causing property damage during a night of vandalism in Verndale, which totaled over $15,000. The men, Eathon Robert Phillips from Wadena and Tristin James Richard Nichols from Perham, are both facing serious charges of first-degree criminal damage to property, as the damage they caused was more than $1,000. The vandalism occurred May 24-25, 2025, when Phillips, Nichols, and three juveniles allegedly wal

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