FAYETTE COUNTY, IL — A former Illinois State Police trooper accused in Fayette County Court of multiple counts sexual assault of people under the age of 17 under his supervision has agreed to a special court hearing that will result in a recommendation in the case from the judge. James Dierkes was arrested in December 2019 on two charges of Class 1 felony criminal sexual assault of a person between the ages of 13 and 17 who was under his supervision. Immediately following his arrest Dierkes was relieved of duty as an ISP trooper.

Dierkes was then charged before his preliminary hearing in that case with an additional nine Class 1 felony sex offenses. The offenses are alleged to have happened when Dierkes worked with the Vandalia High School and before he became a state trooper.

On Wednesday he agreed to a March 11th hearing before Judge Marc Kelly. At that time Judge Kelly will hear from prosecutors about their evidence against the defendant and what witnesses in the case would be expected to say at trial. Judge Kelly will then make a recommendation about what an appropriate sentence should be so that the case can be resolved without having to go to trial.