Dilger Charged in Cumberland County

A former Neoga police officer has been charged with counts of criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

40-year-old John Dilger of Neoga is accused of improper actions involving a then-16-year-old girl.

Jasper County State's Attorney Chad Miller has been appointed special prosecutor on the case, as Cumberland County State's Attorney Jonathan Braden has been recused from the case since he has worked with Dilger on cases, and Cumberland County Resident Circuit Judge Millard Everhart has asked to be recused since Dilger has worked on cases in his county. The 5th Judicial Circuit will assign another judge to the case.

Once a judge is appointed, court dates can be scheduled in the case.

The Neoga City Council fired Dilger at a special meeting on March 2 due to "allegations of criminal misconduct and/or other actions which a normally prudent employee would recognize as improper."