MACOMB, Ill. (NEWS3) — Macomb Police arrested two people on Monday for offenses relating to prostitution.
Chief Curt Barker said Jeremy Laird, 29, of Macomb filed a police report claiming that he was being extorted by a woman, with whom he’d had sexual relations.
Police said Laird allegedly paid Mariah Tharpsun-Salyn, 23, of Galesburg, $1,000 to prevent her from informing his wife of the affair. According to police, after the woman demanded more money, Laird filed the report.
After further investigation, Macomb Police revealed Laird hired Tharpsun-Salyn as a prostitute from an unknown online website.
Laird was charged with solicitation of a sexual act and patronizing a prostitute, Tharpsun-Salyn was charged with prostitution, intimidation, and theft under $10,000.
Both have posted bond from the McDonough County Jail.
According to the Illinois High School Association website, Laird was the varsity girl’s basketball coach at Rushville-Industry High School. Superintendent of Schuyler-Industry Schools Dr. Beau Fretueg said Laird is no longer employed in the district.
Macomb School District Superintendent Dr. Patrick Twomey confirmed to NEWS3, Laird is a program assistant at Macomb High School. Twomey said Laird is on paid leave during the investigation.
