Chairman of the Collins Board of Trustees Allen Kauffman is in the Newton County Jail for attempting to entice a child.

The Diamond Police Department arrested him after an on-line investigation.

Investigators say Kauffman approached a 13-year-old girl on-line and had discussed meeting her, taking naked pictures of her, and then having sex with her. The only thing, is that the girl was actually a detective.

Kauffman's bond is set at $ 50,000. He faces four counts of attempting to entice a child.

A village leader arrested in an online sex sting puts an Ozark’s town of less than 200 in the spot light. A hometown minister and chairman of the Collins’ Board of Trustees is now in custody because police say he chatted about meeting a 13-year-old girl for sex.

The 13-year-old girl police say he was talking to was a detective. Investigators say Kauffman's suggestive chats and photographs were enough to make an arrest but many in his small village aren't convinced their leader is online predator.

Here in the quiet town of Collins, many call Allen Kauffman, a pillar of the community.
Collins City Clerk Pam Myers says, "He was very involved, very professional." Kauffman's not only the chairman of the Collins' Board of Trustees; he's also a man of God. Myers says, "He's a minister, he's traveled on church missions."

Now the 62 year-old is behind bars for enticing a 13-year-old who turned out to be a detective. Myers said, "Totally out of the blue, last thing anybody ever expected to happen." Court documents show sexual chats and even photographs the village leader supposedly sent to a decoy pretending to be a teen. His co-workers say their jaws are still dropped, unsure what to think of the charges. Myers says, "The best outcome would be that it's not true."

Most of the town's lips are sealed when it comes to the lifetime resident. KSPR stopped by two local restaurants where everyone seemed to know Kauffman but no one wanted to talk. They say they'll wait to find out if it's true but new comers aren't impressed by his resume of good deeds, instead they're appalled. Collins resident Bonnie Nimmo says, "You can't trust anybody. You hear about this stuff all the time, teachers, mayors.”
The mother of three says if Kauffman is guilty she wants justice. Nimmo says, "I think they should kick him out you don't need that running as an office."

Now the town of 176 will wait for Kauffman's day in court but many worry about his family. Myers says, "His wife is a good friend of mine, his daughter is a good friend of mine. I hope they get through this."

The city clerk says the board of trustees only meets once a month. She says the co-chairman will likely take over until Kauffman returns or is removed. Kauffman is being held at the Newton County Jail on a fifty-thousand dollar bond.


This is the topic of Monday's Download. Do you think police should be allowed to pose as teens online? You can text or email your thoughts to news@kspr.com. You can also leave your thoughts below. Stay tuned to KSPR News at 10 for your Talk Backs.