A former Browerville High School student has admitted that he was among athletes who sexually assaulted teammates in incidents that stretched from the small western Minnesota community to a downtown Minneapolis hotel.

Seth Kellen, 19, pleaded guilty Monday in Todd County District Court to felony fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for using force or coercion during sexual contact. Specifically, Kellen admitted to digitally penetrating a 17-year-old teammate in March 2012 while the basketball team was in Minneapolis for the state tournament.

Kellen also was accused of pulling down his pants while in a Minneapolis parking-ramp elevator with his teammates and two student managers, ages 11 and 12. He then jumped on teammates' backs and hit them with his penis, the charges say. He had also been accused of sexually assaulting football and basketball teammates numerous times.

As part of his plea, two counts filed in juvenile court were dismissed.

When sentenced, Kellen is expected to be given a 30-day jail term and placed on probation for 10 years. Terms of probation include being assessed for anger management and counseled about sexual boundaries. If he complies and doesn't violate probation, the felony case will be dismissed, said County Attorney Chuck Rasmussen.

Kellen's attorney, Chris Karpan, said Tuesday that he's not satisfied with how the case is turning out for his client.

In November, co-defendant Connor S. Burns, 19, pleaded to an agreement that will dismiss charges against him if he has no similar offenses during his five years of probation. Burns will not have to serve any time. Another player, Seth Christiansen, was tried as a juvenile and also came to a plea agreement.

Attorneys for Kellen and Burns had argued that the alleged assaults were part of a common culture of horseplay and hazing that's gone on for years at the school in Browerville, which has about 790 residents. They insisted that the acts weren't sexual.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482