A former Vandalia teacher and State Trooper has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Fayette County Court on three counts of criminal sexual assault.
31-year-old James Dierkes of Donnellson was sentenced to six years in prison on each of the charges. The time will have to be served consecutively, resulting in the 18 year prison term. Dierkes will have to complete 85-percent of the sentence. He was given credit for 767 days already served in jail.
The sexual assault of two students occurred while Dierkes was working as a Vandalia school district teacher. He had left the district in 2019 when he became a State Trooper.
Fayette County State’s Attorney Joshua Morrison said after the guilty plea that the way Dierkes used his teaching position to violate the trust of his students, their parents and the community is inexcusable. He was pleased Dierkes pled guilty and spared the victims from having to relive his abuse at trial.
Morrison says his aim is always to do justice and he believes that justice has been found in this case. He added the victims and their families were consulted about the plea agreement.
