Portsmouth, NH - According to police, a 52-year-old woman reported that a man who had tortured, raped, sodomized, drugged, and threatened her over an 8-year period as a child approached her in a supermarket and asked her if “she wanted to pick up their ‘affair’ where they had left off.”
This inquiry by Souran Manougian, 81,led to his arrest on 25 felonies.
A police affidavit described a pattern of behavior and manipulation that Manougian – who is known locally as “Buddha Babe” (?!) – is alleged to have used on the victim, who is a relative.
The court documents describe the abuse beginning in 1966, when the woman was 7 or 8 years old and – according to police – include her being forcibly raped and sodomized by Manougian who told the girl it was his responsibility to teach her “how to be a woman.”
Manougian is alleged to have told the victim that he would kill her, her mother, her grandparents, her dog, or “anything she loved if she told the police.” The woman reportedly described Manougian once showing her a badge and saying he was “a special officer” with the city police department and that she “would never be believed” if she told anyone what he’d done to her.
The police report says on five or six occasions, the young girl was sexually assaulted by Manougian and a second man at the same time. The woman also told police she believed Manougian once stuck some cocaine under her tongue. Manougian is also alleged to have inserted toothpicks under her toenails during rapes to teach her ‘how not to scream while she was being raped.’
Police Capt. Corey MacDonald said Monday that the statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual assault cases is 22 years after a victim’s 18th birthday, which would mean it’s too late to bring charges against Manougian. However, he said, there’s “certain conduct” that allows police to bring cases forward after that time. MacDonald did not cite specifics but said, “we believe there’s some of that conduct here.”
“We want to send a clear message to child victims that they can and should come forward,” MacDonald added.
It is worth noting that the woman did not approach police looking for an arrest. She reportedly only went to police to ask for an officer to stand by “so she could confront her abuser.”
Manougian is charged with eight counts of rape, seven counts of forcible sodomy, five counts of incest, aggravated assault, three counts of tampering with witnesses and informants, and criminal restraint. Manougian was released on $250 cash and $10,000 personal recognizance bail. He is not considered a flight risk because he has lived in Portsmouth for 55 years.
Anyone with suggestions for punishment information regarding potential victims are urged to call the Portsmouth Police Department at 603-610-7529.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
Woman Accused Of Throwing Puppies At Boyfriend During Fight
NEXT ARTICLE
Man Dies At Wrestlemania Party After Cousin Puts Him In Chokehold