Former Youth Minister Pleads Guilty to Grooming

(BRADEN DILLEY)

A former youth minister at a local church has been placed on 30 months probation after pleading guilty to a count of grooming.

25-year-old Braden Dilley had been charged with three charges of grooming and a count of distribution of harmful materials. There were three counts of grooming filed because of alleged actions against three different young people. Dilley did not physically abuse any young people.

As part of the negotiated plea, two of the grooming counts and the charge of distribution of harmful materials were dismissed. Dilley will have to pay a $500 fine plus assessments, will have to complete sex offender specific counseling, will have to avoid unsupervised contact with anyone under 17 years of age, he can't be involved with any group or club focused on children under age 18, and must compose written letters of apology to the victims. He must also register for life as a sex offender.

At last report, Dilley had relocated to the Edwardsville area.