Rock Co. Residents Talk About Kreun Allegations

LUVERNE, MN - People who live in Rock County are talking about the allegations about Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Kreun.

"A person would wish this wouldn't happen," said resident Bonnie Vis. 

According to a search warrant out of Blue Earth County in Minnesota, the investigation into Kreun began on December 22 when Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge received a tip that Kreun had photos of a topless teenager on his department-issued cell phone. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed the girl was 16 at the time the photo was taken.

Kruen has not been charged, but people in the town are asking, "how and why."

"The Rock County Sheriff's department has a good reputation in town. It's really a shame to hear one of their deputies may be involved in something like this," said Steve Priutt

Whether you've lived in the county for a year like Pruitt, or a lifetime, like Kevin Rozeboom, you can't help but talk about it. 

"Everybody does things you're not proud of, but that's crossing a line. You can see some odd deal happening a big city, but to have that in your home town," resident Kevin Rozeboom said.

A topless photo is what triggered the investigation, according to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The sheriff's deputy, 28, and the now 17-year-old girl admitted to having sex in his home where the girl sometimes watched Kreun's children.

"I've had no complaints about the department whatsoever, and I've never heard any complaints about the department before. So yeah, it is kind of a shock to me," Pruitt said.

Pruitt says he would be just as shocked if it were any other authority figure in the community. And people in Rock County will continue to talk as more details, including possible charges, emerge in the coming weeks.

"It's not good to hear," Vis said.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is still investigating and is expected to have its final report in the next week or two. At that point, criminal charges could be filed.