Former Crookston High School teacher and track and field coach, Sutton Thomas Junkermeier, who is now teaching in the Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School District, has been charged with allegedly sending sexually explicit Snapchat messages to a 16-year-old student he was coaching. Junkermeier graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead and taught social studies in Crookston from the 2021-22 to 2024-25 school year before moving back to his hometown to teach and coach.
Junkermeier, 26, of Lake Lillian, has been charged with three counts. The first count is Felony Harassment – Victim Under 18 – Sexual or Aggressive Intent, Felony Harassment – Victim Under 18 – Actor at least 36 months older, and Gross Misdemeanor Harassment.
According to court documents, the incident was reported by a guardian who said the 16-year-old received inappropriate images and messages from an adult male, who was later identified as Junkermeier. The incident happened on June 23, 2026. Junkermeier reportedly asked the student to join the cross-country team, which he coached after several exchanges. Junkermeier began sending explicit images of himself. The photographs were reportedly of Junkermeier, partially clothed and shirtless, and also depicting his anatomy covered only by Snapchat filters and emojis. The messages accompanying the images included “We best not tell anyone about this,” another comment was “This is the best you getting bro,” and another message allegedly said, “I know last night got a little crazy but let’s keep this between us.”
On June 26, 2026, the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Junkermeier’s residence in Lake Lillian, where Junkermeier initially denied sending inappropriate images. He later confessed to sending shirtless and explicit photographs.
