By AP/KWMU
Highland, Ill. – A man recently hired to coach football at Highland High School in the Metro East has resigned following allegations of sex abuse.
Prosecutors in Madison County have charged Thomas Pagliaro with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, aggravated fleeing and eluding police. He's also accused of misdemeanor criminal property damage.
Police say Pagliaro, 32, was found with a 16-year-old girl in his car last week after fleeing from police in a Godfrey neighborhood where car burglaries have been a problem.
Pagliaro resigned Saturday before beginning his job at the school as football coach and a special-education teacher. He's free on $75,000 bond.