Staff Report

Jonathan Noah Dilley

WARSAW — A Winona Lake man was recently arrested after allegedly molesting a child.

Jonathan Noah Dilley, 43, 1610 Chestnut St., Winona Lake, is charged with child molesting, a level 1 felony; and child molesting, a level 4 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.

On Nov. 26, 2020, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s detective was contacted by the Department of Child Services regarding the child’s molestation case. According to court documents, a DCS worker told the detective the child submitted to an examination at a sexual assault treatment center.

During the examination, the child detailed how Dilley inappropriately touched them and that Dilley had the child inappropriately touch him. The child told the examiner that Dilley said not to tell anyone about the activity.

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

On Dec. 1, 2020, the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center interviewed the child. The child again detailed how Dilley inappropriately touched them and said 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 on the child’s external genital swab, on their underwear and on their face/lip swabs.

Due to the insufficient quantity of DNA, the laboratory was unable to develop a specific profile at the time. 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 being arrested on the child molesting warrant.

Troopers began receiving information that Dilley was at an address in South Bend. Officers and troopers with the South Bend Police Strategic Focus Unit found a 2009 Kia, which Dilley was believed to be driving, in a parking lot in the 1400 block of South Olive Street in South Bend. Dilley was not in the Kia at the time but eventually returned and was taken into custody.

Dilley was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Oct. 13, with a $50,250 surety and cash bond. As part of his bond conditions, Dilley must surrender any passport he has and cannot leave the State of Indiana.