Hughes hearing canceled for sixth time

INDIANAPOLIS -- For a sixth time, a U.S. District Court judge in Indianapolis has postponed the sentencing of a Muncie man accused of sexually exploiting teenage boys.

Darrell W. Hughes, 57, was arrested by federal agents at his home in the Old West End neighborhood two years ago this month.

He is accused of sexually exploiting boys, at his home, after meeting them through his job as a behavioral specialist for New Castle schools.

Nearly a year ago, Hughes filed a petition to enter a guilty plea in U.S. District Court. The terms of a proposed plea agreement have not been released.

A hearing at which Hughes would plead guilty and be sentenced has since been scheduled and canceled six times.

The Muncie man’s public defender, William Dazey, has repeatedly said he needs time to resolve possible state charges against his client. Prosecutors in Delaware and Henry counties have said they have no plans to file such charges.

U.S. District Court Judge William Lawrence this week rescheduled the hearing, which had been set for Thursday, for Feb. 16.