WARREN — A 19-year-old former dance teacher turned herself in to law enforcement after being informed she was named in a secret indictment on multiple counts of having sexual contact with a female student younger than 13.
Katilyn R. Wilkes, 19, who lists addresses in Vienna and Warren, was arraigned Wednesday before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge W. Wyatt McKay. She had been indicted by a county grand jury on two counts of gross sexual imposition and 12 counts of rape.
Wilkes was assigned a $250,000 bond and ordered not to have contact with the victim or any other children if she bonds out of jail.
Defense attorney Mary Ellen Ditchey initially requested Wilkes receive a bond of $50,000, so she can continue her college education. County Assistant Prosecutor Diane Barber objected to the lower bond, saying the woman is being charged with multiple rape counts that individually could have her sentenced to prison for 25 years to life. Barber emphasized that as an instructor, Wilkes had a level of authority over the victims.
Barber noted the prosecution’s case against Wilkes includes victim testimony and text messages.
The grand jury indictment states the two counts of gross sexual imposition occurred in December 2021. Wilkes also faces four counts of rape that are alleged to have taken place in January and four counts during the months of January and February.
She also was charged with two counts of rape that occurred exclusively in January, and two counts that occurred on Jan. 29.
Additional details about the case were not provided in court on Wednesday.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 20.
