Another Delay in Dierkes Sexual Abuse, Assault Trial

Another delay in the trial of James Dierkes in Fayette County.

Dierkes is charged with numerous counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault. The offenses are alleged to have occurred while Dierkes was working at Okaw Area Vocational Center in Vandalia in 2016.

Dierkes later left the employment of the Vandalia school district to join the Illinois State Police. Once Dierkes was charged, the State Police fired him.

The trial has been delayed on several occasions. In court Wednesday, a new trial was scheduled for July 19, with a pre-trial hearing set for July 14.

Dierkes is being held in Fayette County Jail under $1 million bond.