Southeast Minnesota Coach & Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting 3 Student Athletes

Winona, MN (KROC-AM News)- A southeast Minnesota coach and teacher is accused of sexually assaulting three female students. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Winona County Court. He was arrested then arraigned on a felony criminal sexual conduct charge on Friday. 

The complaint says the investigation started last June when the Winona Police Department received an anonymous tip that a Winona Senior High School Track Coach and Teacher, identified as 29-year-old Eric Dione Birth, had a sexual relationship with a former student athlete during her senior year in school. 

The victim denied a sexual relationship occurring and told investigators in June that Birth was her coach and nothing more, prompting authorities to close the case. Seven months later, the victim contacted law enforcement and said she had lied during her June 2023 interview with investigators, the complaint says. 

She told police that Birth had presided over a Snapchat group chat involving her and fellow track team members meant to discuss running during the offseason. Birth left the group but not before sharing his personal phone number with the victim and another member of the group chat. 

The victim said she would talk with Birth about problems she was facing over text and in April of 2023, agreed to meet Birth at an undisclosed location in Winona. She was 18 at the time, the complaint says. 

During the April meeting the victim said Birth kissed her inside of a vehicle then pulled her from the vehicle and continued making sexual advances that were stopped when a separate vehicle approached the area, according to the court document. 

She said Birth attempted to persuade her into a relationship with him for two weeks after the April incident, according to the complaint. 

A second former track team member came forward to investigators last month and told police she had also been dealing with personal issues and had confided in Birth. The former student athlete said she and Birth then entered into a sexual relationship when she was 16 years old that started Summer of 2016 and ended in the Fall of 2016, the complaint states. 

The court document says late last month a third victim and former member of the track team came forward and told police she was in a sexual relationship with Birth in April and May of 2017 during her Junior year of high school. 

She also stated that she discussed personal issues she was going through with Birth. The complaint says two other former members of the track team told police they had been taking a selfie on Birth’s phone when they discovered a video depicting Birth and the third victim engaging in a sexual act. 

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, resources are available for help. Visit the RAINN website (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) or dial 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673).

The third victim told police Birth warned her she may be getting a call from the school regarding their alleged relationship. The former student athlete then received a call from the school’s principal while she was with her mother and denied the relationship’s existence, according to the charging document. 

The court record says Birth had been a track coach at Winona Senior High since 2016 and was a physical education teacher at various schools within the district since 2021. The former Winona High School and Winona State running back was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 3. 

Birth was charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct-position of authority. His conditional bail was set at $100,000 and he’s due back in court later this month. 

Following Birth’s arrest, Winona Area Public Schools Superintendent Brad Berzinski sent a letter to district families. That letter is available below: 

Hello families,

Yesterday, the Winona Police Department arrested Winona Senior High School teacher Eric Birth on potential charges of third degree criminal sexual conduct.

Winona Area Public Schools administration was made aware of a police investigation into Birth on Wednesday, Jan. 3. At that time, action was immediately taken to put the employee on leave and fully cooperate with the police investigation. A report was made with the Minnesota Department of Education.

According to the police department, a person reported that while enrolled as a student in a local high school in 2022, they were involved in a sexual relationship with an individual identified as Birth. During the course of the police investigation, two additional students reported that while attending high school in 2016 and 2017, they were also involved in a sexual relationship with Birth.

Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot share additional details at this time.

We understand that this news may be shocking and concerning to our school community. Please know that all school district employees are subject to a thorough background check before being hired, and are also required to complete training to reinforce policy, procedure, and our legal requirements as mandatory reporters.

We strive to provide a supportive learning environment where our students, staff and community members feel safe and empowered to report any and all concerns. We have a Confidential Reporting Form on our website to report such concerns. Reports can also be made directly to WAPS staff members through less formal forms of communication, including letters, emails, phone calls, voicemails, or in-person conversations.

All reports are classified as private data and will not be disclosed, as permitted by law. If complaints are made to local law enforcement agencies, as was this case in this matter, we will fully cooperate with any investigation that takes place.

We urge anyone who has any information or concerns that might be relevant to this case to contact the Winona Police Department.

The safety of our students is a top priority. We are grateful for the efforts of the Winona Police Department and the strong partnership we have with local law enforcement.

Thank you for your attention to this update.

Thank you.

Brad Berzinski

Superintendent

Winona Area Public Schools

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