Could a plea deal be on the horizon for Darren Hays? According to online court records, parties are working towards that. In White County court Thursday, T.J. Parrish the defense counsel for Hays, Gallatin County States Attorney Doug Dyhrkopp of who is serving as special prosecutor in the case, and Judge Braden met in chambers for a 402 hearing. 402 conferences (named after Illinois Supreme Court Rule 402) are private, pre-trial meetings meant to discuss a potential plea bargain and act as a settlement conference to help resolve a criminal case before it goes to trial.
The 57-year-old former White County Jailer is accused of six counts of Custodial Criminal Sexual Misconduct and another count of Official Misconduct. Hays was suspended in November after White County Sheriff Jordan Weiss says a review of surveillance showed inappropriate conduct with an inmate we later learned was alleged murder suspect Megan Valentine. It would take another 3 months before Hays was officially arrested after Illinois State Police took over the investigation. Hays next court date is July 2nd.