Trial set for March in Quincy grooming, sexual exploitation of a child case

QUINCY — A Quincy man facing between one and three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, if found guilty of a Class 4 felony grooming charge, is expected to go to trial the week of March 11.

Giorgio Raad, 19, appeared in Adams County Circuit Court Friday morning with attorney Drew Schnack before Judge Debra Wellborn. He also faces one count of sexual exploitation of a child, a Class A misdemeanor. If found guilty, Raad also would have to register as a sex offender. He has no prior criminal record.

Schnack said he would be available on March 13 to begin the trial and expected it to take between two and three days because he believes jury selection may take longer because Raad’s parents are physicians and “treat a lot of people”.

Raad pled not guilty during his arraignment on Nov. 15.

Raad, who is on home confinement and wearing an ankle monitor, was dismissed from the University of Illinois on January 9 based on the charges. He appealed the university’s decision and his appeal was denied. Raad also was ordered to have no access to the internet, unless it was for schoolwork, and no access to social media. 

Charging documents allege Raad used the internet on Sept. 23, 2023 to communicate and attempt to seduce, solicit or entice the child, to commit criminal sexual abuse or otherwise engage in any unlawful sexual conduct with a child or with another person claimed to be a child — in this case, a 13-year-old female victim. Raad allegedly sent pictures of his sex organs to the girl and multiple text messages of a sexual nature.