Dilger Makes Court Appearance in Cumberland County

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Published on April 28 2016 12:17 pm
Last Updated on April 28 2016 1:02 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Former police officer John Dilger made a court appearance in Cumberland County on Wednesday.

The 40-year-old Neoga resident is charged with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old girl on January 2. Neoga City Council members fired Dilger for the alleged action on March 2.

(JOHN DILGER)

The charges allege that the girl was unable to consent to having sex since she is under 17 years old, and that she is more than five years younger than Dilger and under age 17.

Due to Dilger's work as a Neoga police officer, Cumberland County Resident Circuit Judge Millard Everhart and Cumberland County State's Attorney Jonathan Braden each recused themselves from the case. Chief Circuit Judge Craig DeArmond has taken over hearing the case and Jasper County State's Attorney Chad Miller has taken over prosecution of the case.

Miller said the logistics of scheduling court hearings will be more difficult because of travel time and other commitments for him and the judge, but said the case will be heard in Cumberland County. He said he is working on a date for a pre-trial hearing in the case. No trial date has been set.

Dilger is free on $25,000 bond with the provision that he have no contact with the girl. He faces up to 15 years in prison should he be found guilty on the criminal sexual assault count.