ST CHARLES, Mo. — A St. Charles teacher was charged with sexually abusing a minor over several years.
John Warnecke is facing three charges of statutory sodomy in the second degree. He is a 6th grade math and science teacher at Jefferson Intermediate School and has coached baseball and softball.
In court documents, the St. Charles County Attorney's Office said Warnecke first talked with the minor in 2020 over social media when she was 15 years old, according to the victim's statement.
In the documents, the victim said in her first online interactions with Warnecke, who was 49 at the time, she told him immediately that she was 15 years old. Despite that, their communication continued and they eventually met up in person.
The victim also said Warnecke had sexual interactions with her on a regular basis until the summer of 2023.
According to a probable cause statement, the victim called Warnecke during a recorded police interview, and Warnacke admitted over the phone to acts of statutory sodomy.
Warnecke later admitted in a police interview that sexual interactions occurred while the victim was under 17, police said.
He was arrested Tuesday and held at the St. Charles County Jail on a $75,000 bond.
The St. Charles School District sent out a statement to families, saying the police informed them that a teacher at Jefferson was arrested and charged with sexual misconduct with a minor. They added that "the safety of our students and staff is our number one priority. The State of Missouri and our district requires anyone who works in the school district to complete the Family Cares Safety Registry, and pass background and fingerprint checks through the Missouri State Highway Patrol."
