A sexual assault case against a 43-year-old Centralia man was dismissed Tuesday in Marion County Court after new evidence was discovered.

William McWilliams was arrested in November on two counts Class X felony predatory criminal sexual assault to a victim under the age of 13, and Class 2 felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 13.

According to Marion County State’s Attorney Bill Milner, his office has received additional information that was unknown at the time the charges were filed against McWilliams and based upon that new evidence; they are no longer pursuing criminal charges in the matter.

Milner says that all allegations of criminal sexual abuse are serious and deserve to be given the proper scrutiny and consideration in order to protect the rights of all parties involved.

He commented that it is one of his missions as the Marion County State’s Attorney to ensure that individuals who have committed such acts are brought to justice.

However, he strongly believes that justice is served not by simply obtaining convictions, but rather by seeking and following the truth wherever it may lead.

Milner says regardless of the outcome, he urges citizens to treat all parties involved with respect and sensitivity.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies had arrested McWilliams at work on the Marion County warrant that had been issued when an investigation allegedly showed he’d assaulted an 11-year-old girl between April 1st and June 1st, 2016.

He had been held in the Marion County Jail since his arrest in November 2017, with bail set at $250,000, but was released Tuesday afternoon when the charges against him were dismissed in court.