Thomas Pagliaro
Posted by: Webmaster in Coaches, High Profile Cases, High Schools, Illinois, ME-FV, Not Guilty, Special Ed
(7/27/07 - Initial BBT Report)
Thomas Pagliaro, 32, the newly hired head football coach and special education teacher at Highland High School, in Highland, Illinois has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing a teen girl and fleeing police.
It is alleged that Madison County sheriff’s deputy spotted Pagliaro’s car parked on the street near an empty home in Godfrey. When investigators approached the car it sped away with its lights off going 50 mph on 25mph streets. After a short chase the car crashed into a mailbox. Inside deputies found Pagliaro and a 16-year-old girl.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pagliaro was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual abuse and aggravated fleeing from a police officer. Court documents say Pagliaro fondled the girl’s breast just before the deputy arrived.
Following his arrest Pagliaro was released after posting 10% of his $75,000 bail.
Prior to taking the job at Highland High School Pagliaro was the head football coach and taught at Marquette Catholic High School in Alton, Illinois.
7/31/07 - Pagliaro Resigns
Thomas Pagliaro has resigned his position as coach and special education teacher at Highland High School.
He is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, aggravated fleeing, eluding police and misdemeanor criminal property damage.
He remains free on $75,000 bond.
11/21/07 - Jury Trial Schedule
According to court records, Thomas Pagliaro is scheduled for jury trial in the Circuit Court of Madison County, Illinois on December 10th.
2/13/08 - Jury Trial Schedule
According to court records, the trial of Thomas Pagliaro was rescheduled to 2/19/08 in the Circuit Court of Madison County, Illinois.
2/25/08 - Jury Trial Schedule
Court records indicate that the jury trial of Thomas Pagliaro in case # 07-CF-001670 has been rescheduled for 3/3/08.
All of this rescheduling implies a plea deal may be in the works.
3/24/08 - Jury Trial Schedule
Court records now indicate that the jury trial of Thomas Pagliaro in case # 07-CF-001670 has been rescheduled for 4/28/08.
5/15/08 - Jury Trial Schedule
Court records now indicate that the jury trial of Thomas Pagliaro in case # 07-CF-001670 has been rescheduled for 6/16/08.
06/18/08 - Trial Over, Verdict Delayed
The trial of Thomas Paglario opened on Monday with Paglario opting for a bench trial in which the judge renders the verdict, this as opposed to a jury trial.
The trial concluded today with closing arguments and the judge took the case under advisement indicating that he would render a verdict later.
During the course of the trial the alleged victim testified that Pagliaro did not touch her breast. This in contradiction to her earlier statements to the contrary to investigators, a taped statement and statements to an interviewer in which the alleged victim stated that Pagliaro touched the “top” of her breast.
It was revealed that the alleged victim is currently the “girlfriend” of Steffan Segura, the son of the man for whom Thomas Pagliaro worked following his arrest.
Segura’s cell phone records were presented in court by the prosecutor who asked Segura to explain multiple phone calls between himself, Pagliaro and the alleged victim as well as two calls between Segura and Pagliaro’s attorney, all just prior to the start of trial.
07/01/08 - Not Guilty Of Sexual Abuse Charge
Madison County Associate Judge Richard Tognarelli has found Thomas Pagliaro not guilty on counts of sexual abuse and aggravated sexual abuse of a 16-year-old female student.
The judge did find Pagliaro guilty of aggravated fleeing for attempting to elude police with the girl in the car.
The sentencing range on that offense is from probation to three years in prison.
Pagliaro’s sentencing date on that count is not currently known.
References:
Former Highland coach cleared of sexual abuse (07/02/08)
Ex-coach acquitted of sex abuse charge (07/01/08)
Judge deciding fate of ex-coach accused of fondling student (06/18/08)
Ex-high school football coach goes on trial for sexual abuse (06/18/08)
Teen’s testimony countered by cop, tape (06/17/08)
Girl testifies in former coach’s trial (06/16/08)
Metro East football coach resigns amid sex abuse charges (7/31/07)
Highland football coach faces sex charge (7/27/07)
High school coach is suspended after facing sex abuse charges (7/26/07)
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November 13th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I went to Ridgewood High School where this mope played football and then coached for a while. Aside from being an adult and sitting with minors that he was coaching at a bar in Norridge (Groove Cafe) and later four of them dying in a DUI car crash when they wrapped themselves around a tree, he is a worthless scrap of life. Too bad he is not getting poked in the rear in prison!
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