Bond for Dierkes Set at $1 Million on All Counts

The bond for James Dierkes has been set at $1 million.

Dierkes is charged in Fayette County with numerous charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault. The offenses allegedly occurred while Dierkes was working at Okaw Area Vocational Center in Vandalia in 2016. Dierkes was arrested in early December on one count of each offense. Later in December, Dierkes was charged with nine additional sexual assault charges.

Bond on the original charges had been set at $1 million, but another $500,000 bond was imposed when the additional charges were filed. During a court hearing Tuesday morning, Judge Kevin Parker decided to set a $1 million bond for all 11 charges on file.

Dierkes had left his employment with the Vandalia School District to join the Illinois State Police. After the charges came to light, State Police fired Dierkes.

No trial date for Dierkes has been set.