Dierkes Trial in Fayette County Again Postponed

The Fayette County trial of James Dierkes has again been postponed.

The 31-year-old Dierkes faces numerous charges 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.

In court Wednesday, a defense motion to continue the trial to a later date was granted. The trial had been slated to begin July 19. Trial Judge Marc Kelly also recused himself from the case, saying he personally knows people who have been subpoenaed to testify. The judge also said his wife works for the school district. Judge Allan Lolie has been assigned to oversee the trial.

Dierkes is next due in court for a hearing on a defense request to suppress information that otherwise might be used at the trial. That hearing is set for August 31.