EDWARDSVILLE - John S. Manoogian, 59, of Granite City, was charged today with seven counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, a Class 2 Felony, and five counts of Battery. Manoogian is a teacher at Granite City High School, currently on leave from his position. Haine announced today that a Grand Jury indicted Manoogian.
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"In total, there are seven charged male victims, all students at Granite City H.S. (abuse by a teacher being the Aggravating element of the Sexual Abuse charges), between the ages of 14 and 16," Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine said. “It takes real courage for a young person to report sexual abuse by a teacher. My office will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law. Abuse of trust by those placed in responsibility over children has no place in Madison County.”
As background, in February 2020, the Granite City Police Department initiated an investigation into allegations from three students at Granite City High School that Manoogian, a teacher, had engaged in acts of sexual conduct with the students.
Throughout the course of the investigation, additional alleged student-victims came forward with information. On the facts alleged, all acts of sexual abuse were done over the clothing of the victims, almost all occurred at Granite City High School, though one incident occurred at the defendant’s home.
Haine added a special thanks to the Granite City Police Department, the Child Advocacy Center, and ASA Kathleen Nolan of the Children’s Justice Division for their hard work on this investigation.
