JEFFERSON COUNTY — Charges were dismissed Monday against a 35-year-old Ina man charged in Jefferson County Court of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13.

Dustin Crone
(Source: JCSO)

According to Jefferson County State’s Attorney Sean Featherstun, after charges were filed against Dustin Crone, additional evidence was discovered that prevents the State from proving this allegation beyond a reasonable doubt

Jury selection was scheduled for Tuesday in the 2018 Jefferson County case against Crone. He was arrested in October 2018 and charged with two Class X felony charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under the age of 13 and Class 2 felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 13.

However, new evidence caused prosecutors on Monday to dismiss the charges against Crone and order the $12,500 bond posted for his release in December of 2018 to be returned. The case was investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.