WINONA, Minn. – A high school phys-ed teacher was arrested after a 1-1/2 month investigation into reports of sexual relationships with female students over the past eight years. Eric Dione Birth, 29, was arrested without resistance abiot 3:30 p.m. at his home on West King Street, police said. He was jailed on three counts of criminal sexual conduct with penetration. Police reported their investigation began this January when a female student came forward and alleged a sexual relationship in 2022. Police investigators then found two former Winona High students, both also women, who said they too had been involved sexually with Birth in 2016 and 2017.
Birth profile
Birth, who is black, was hired Winona Schools in 2016. In his own words, as posted on his Facebook page, he “sought to develop a culture of trust and respect” as a phys-ed teacher. He was a 2013 Winona High graduate who earned letters in football. He attended Winona State University and played as a running back on the varsity football team and graduated in 2016. He joined the Winona High faculty in 2016 to teach physical education. He also taught some semesters at the Winona School District’s alternative learning center. Besides teaching phys-ed, Birth was an assistant coach for football and also track and field. It was in his capacity as girls track coach, according to this week’s criminal complaint, that sexual transgressions occurred with female teen-age athletes. These, says the complaint, were in 2016, 2017 and 2o22.
Birth. When booked at jail at 4:10 p.m., within an hour of arrest.