Staff Report 

WARSAW — A Winona Lake man was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday, April 18, on a molestation charge.

Jonathan Noah Dilley

Jonathan Noah Dilley, 44, 1610 Chestnut St., Winona Lake, pleaded guilty to child molesting, a level 3 felony.

On Nov. 25, 2020, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office received a report of molestation. An individual said a child told them Dilley inappropriately touched them.

According to court documents, the child submitted to an examination at a sexual assault treatment center.

During the examination, the child provided details of how Dilley inappropriately touched them and that Dilley made the child touch him. The child told the examiner that Dilley told them not to tell anyone.

Swabs were taken in an attempt to collect any suspect DNA from the child.

On Dec. 1, 2020, the child was interviewed by Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. The child again detailed how Dilley inappropriately touched them, stating the actions occurred multiple times.

On June 24, the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division returned a report to KCSO. The report indicated that male DNA was found from the swabs used on the child. 

Due to the insufficient quantity of DNA, the laboratory was unable to develop a specific profile. However, the location of the male DNA was consistent with the information provided by the child.

On Oct. 13, a collaborative effort between Indiana State Police Bremen Post, KCSO and South Bend Police Department Strategic Focus Unit resulted in Dilley’s arrest on a child molestation warrant.

When asked if he had anything to say in court prior to sentencing, Dilley replied, “Even though I have a lot to say, I wonder if a lot of it is appropriate for this forum.” 

Dilley has a prior criminal history consisting of two previous felony charges. 

“You were in a position of trust which you violated in the most heinous way,” Judge Karin McGrath said. “This child will have hurdles to overcome, and that, sir, is on you.”

McGrath sentenced Dilley to 15 years in prison. Two years of the sentence were suspended and ordered to be served on formal probation.

Dilley is ordered to serve the executed portion of the sentence at the Indiana Department of Corrections. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender.

A no-contact order was issued between Dilley and the victim. McGrath clarified this means no contact of any type … in-person, through a third party or by phone, letter or text. 

Dilley was given 188 days of jail time credit.