Alleged Child Rapist Looking at 155 Years in Prison, Currently Out of Jail on $75,000 Surety Bond

UPDATE: On June 19, 2024, Dillon Zane Bates was acquitted on four counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree and three counts in the second degree.

In common law jurisdictions, an acquittal means that the prosecution has failed to prove that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the charge presented. It certifies that the accused is free from the charge of an offense, as far as criminal law is concerned.

The judge did not find anything on the other counts of second degree and third degree sexual abuse.

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A Natrona County man has been charged with four counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree and five counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree. If convicted on all charges, 35-year old Dillon Zane Bates is looking at up to 155 years in prison.

All defendants are innocent unless proven guilty.

Bates' case has been bound over to Natrona County District Court. He will next appear for an arraignment hearing to make a plea and is being represented by defense attorney Keith Nachbar. The prosecuting attorney is Elizabeth Grill. Bates is currently out of jail on a $75,000 surety bond.

The investigation began in Nov. 2022 when a counselor at a local Elementary School reached out to the Department of Family Services after a student disclosed sexual abuse allegations that occured four or five years ago.

Through a series of interviews, investigators learned of three potential victims. Court records show that all three recounted similiar stories of being molested by Bates on different occasions.

In a four and a half hour-long interview, Bates denied touching two of the victims, but allegedly admitted to sexually abusing a ten-year-old with both his hand and penis, but claims he "backed off" because he knew it was something he should not be doing.