A former Barren County Middle School teacher has been arrested for a second time for having sex with the same 13-year-old girl.
William K. Gardner, 28, of Horse Cave, was originally arrested in October 2019 after admitting to having sex with the student on multiple occasions. He was charged with three counts of second-degree rape, five counts of first-degree sexual abuse, tampering with physical evidence, three counts of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, and prohibited use of electronic communications systems to procure a minor.
A Barren County Grand Jury, though, indicted Gardner only on the unlawful transaction with a minor and prohibited use of electronic communications systems to procure a minor for a sex act charges.
He was released from the Barren County Detention Center in April on a $75,000 property bond.
Then, on Wednesday, authorities learned that Gardner had picked up the juvenile and taken her to the Horse Cave Hotel where the two engaged in sex. Police viewed surveillance video from the hotel that shows Gardner leaving the hotel before returning a short time later with the girl, according to media reports.
“The juvenile was interviewed at the Barren River Child Advocacy Center, telling authorities that she had sex with Gardner at the hotel and had been picked up by him in another county three times,” according to the Bowling Green Daily News.
Gardner was arrested Wednesday night by the Barren County Sheriff’s Office and charged with first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor (illegal sex act, victim less than 16), intimidating a participant in the legal process and prohibited use of electronic communication systems to procure a minor.
He was lodged in the Barren County Detention Center on a $150,000 cash bond.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
