BROWERVILLE, Minn. -
A lengthy series of criminal charges were filed Thursday against two former Browerville High School athletes and one senior accused in the alleged sexual assaults of multiple teammates.
Seth Joseph Kellen, 18, faces 20 separate criminal counts ranging from sexual penetration and groping to lewd conduct and exposure.
Connor Steven Burns, 18, is charged with six criminal counts. Some stem from aiding Kellen in the alleged sexual assault of a teammate, and others accuse Burns of partaking in the criminal behavior. himself
The senior, who is not being identified because he is still a minor, is also facing six charges.
Police were made aware of the repeat assaults in August 2011 after a parent reported that a player was assaulted at Todd County‘s Horsehoe Lake after a captain's practice for the football team. Police said the victim was sexually assaulted after many fellow players began dunking him while swimming.
"This
isn't hazing. This isn't bullying. This is continual sexual conduct," said
Todd County Prosecutor Chuck Rasmissen.
Detectives said interviews with Browerville athletes uncovered a string of criminal sexual behavior committed by Kellen. Some of the incidents reportedly took place in the school gym while the team traveled to the 2012 State Tournament as well as in the locker room and showers.
Court documents claim that one of the victims -- a Browerville basketball player -- was restrained while Kellen, Burns and a juvenile teammate penetrated his rectum with their fingers. Kellen is also accused of pulling down his pants and exposing himself in an elevator before jumping on the backs of other teammates to rub his genitals on them, according to a pair of team managers.
Kellen's defense attorney, Chris
Karpan, told FOX 9 News he thinks the charges are overkill.
"He's a good kid. I understand the
charges, and I understand the law -- but to brand this kid as a sex offender is
ridiculous. He's an 18-year-old kid that just graduated high
school -- was working hard at a summer job and was looking forward to going to
college," said Karpan.. "Now, here we are. The behavior is not new. There is nothing in these
complaints that has not been seen before in that school in years gone by.
"
Other athletes admitted to being penetrated, groped or flashed by Kellen when interviewed by detectives.
Both of the recent graduates are scheduled to make appearances in Todd County Court on Aug. 20.
