A former teacher and Illinois State Police officer pled guilty Tuesday to three of the 11 criminal sexual assault counts he was charged with in Fayette County Court. 31-year old James T. Dierkes appeared in court on Tuesday with defense attorney Brian Polinske and pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal sexual assault of a victim under the age of 18 with the remaining counts being dismissed per the plea agreement. Dierkes was then sentenced to 6 years in the Department of Corrections on each count, or 18 years total, to be served consecutively. Dierkes will have to serve 85% of the sentence and will receive credit for 2 years served and will also have 3 years to life of mandatory supervised release following his time served. In a statement on the Fayette County State’s Attorney’s Office Facebook page, State’s Attorney Joshua Morrison states “The way that Mr. Dierkes used his position as a teacher to violate the trust of his students, their parents, and the community is inexcusable. I am pleased that Mr. Dierkes has pled guilty and spared the victims from having to relive his abuse at trial. It is always my aim to do justice, and I believe that justice has been found in this case.” The statement also relayed that the victims in the case were consulted as to the plea agreement and were also in attendance in the courtroom for the pleading and sentencing.
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