Todd County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault

A 23-year-old Clarissa man has pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of a juvenile. Lavern Kauffman entered his guilty plea in Todd County District Court Wednesday on a count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. On Sep. 12, 2021, Kauffman reportedly assaulted a juvenile at his family home in Todd County. At the plea hearing, Kauffman acknowledged he had a significant relationship to the juvenile. According to the criminal complaint in the case, six females with significant relationships to Kauffman reported being sexually assaulted by him. Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office prosecuted Kauffman upon a referral from Todd County Attorney John Lindemann. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 25.