MADISON COUNTY, Ill. – A former teacher in the Triad School District will have a detention hearing Tuesday afternoon on charges that he spent months attempting to groom an underage student.

According to charging documents obtained by FOX 2 News, two students in the district reported on Oct. 7, 2024, to school officials that teacher Michael L. Smargiassi of Highland, Illinois, was having inappropriate communication with his student. School officials discovered hundreds of pages of emails between Smargiassi, 59, and the student, 15, dating back to Aug. 21, 2024.

On Oct. 9, 2024, the underage student was interviewed at the Madison County Child Advocacy Center and said Smargiassi had taken a liking to her and began sending her emails. She said he gave her his cell number and told her to text and then delete the messages.

She told investigators that on two occasions, Smargiassi touched her leg and made a sexually-suggestive comment, which made her feel uncomfortable.

Prosecutors allege that Smargiassi was placed on administrative leave and made multiple attempts to hide the district’s investigation from his wife. He also told a coworker that she might never see him again. Smargiassi allegedly made comments about fleeing to Australia.

Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Smargiassi’s phone on Oct. 18, 2024, but he refused to provide the passcode to unlock the device for several months.

Prosecutors said a partial extraction of Smargiassi’s phone and laptop show numerous saved screenshots of social media posts of teenage girls.

The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Smargiassi with one count of official misconduct, one count of battery, and two counts of grooming. Smargiassi remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.