Judge rejects repeat sex offender plea

Dillman remains jailed on a $200,000 bail By MIKE FLETCHER Tribune staff writer A plea bargain that would have given a convicted child molester 10 years in prison on two sexual misconduct charges was rejected by Howard Superior Court 2 Judge Stephen Jessup this week. Jessup stated the plea in the case against David Dillman, 30, Kokomo, was too lenient. Jessup made his decision Monday, a day before a possible sentencing hearing in the case. The plea called for Dillman to plead guilty to the two B felony counts and receive 20 years for each, with 10 years suspended, five years of in-home detention and five years of probation. The two counts also would run concurrent for a total of 10 years executed. Jessup rejected the plea, then set a pretrial hearing for Sept. 23 and a jury trial for Oct. 1 in the case. Kokomo police arrested... [read full story]