WINONA, Minn. – Former Winona High School coach Eric Dione Birth is going to prison for sexually exploiting teen-age girls on his teams. The sentence could have him behind bars for 7-1/2 years. Of longer consequence, Judge Nancy Buytendorp ordered Birth to register locally as a sexual predator wherever he lives for the rest of his life — a 21st century variation on Nathaniel Hawthorn’s “scarlet letter.” He is 32. As a sexual predator Birth will be required to notify local police with his address, which police are required by law to post publicly. At the sentencing hearing, a former student read an impact statement. She called on victims of sexual exploitation generally to have courage and come forward, even if they are “scared and embarrassed.”  She described feeling “unclean” and “shame.” Birth’s close-knit family burst out in  anger. Bailiffs escorted them out of the courtroom. When arrested in 2024, Birth was charged on 10 counts in four cases with girls whose ages ranged from 16 to 18. One case was dismissed in January in a plea deal in which Birth agreed to plead guilty on the other charges. After sentencing Thursday he was taken to the Winona County jail, next to the courthouse, to await transport to St. Cloud state prison.

Earlier: Police chronicles: The Eric Birth probe

Earlier: Teacher’s bail: $300,000 over school sex allegations

Earlier: Teacher booted early in police sex misdeed query

Earlier: High school teacher accused of teen sex

State-level prosecution

Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office prosecuted Birth at the request of Winona County Attorney Karin Sonneman.  Seldom does the attorney general  have prosecuting authority over criminal acts. But, said Ellison: “Upon request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases as the attorney general deems proper.”

Verbatim

Keith Ellison, state attorney general: “Eric Birth abused his authority as a teacher and coach to harm multiple young people, and today he was held accountable for his heinous crimes,  I hope this can provide a modicum of solace to Birth’s victims, though I know justice can be cold comfort in cases as appalling as this. I’m praying for the well-being of the young people Birth abused, and I will continue to do everything I can to hold those who harm children accountable.”

Verbatim

Ben Smith, defense attorney: “Mr. Birth is a human being —  a father, a husband, and a son — and he does have a story.” He added: “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.”