A former Barren County Middle School teacher who continued having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student after being charged with sex crimes has been sentenced to prison.
William K. Gardner, 30, of Horse Cave, was sentenced to 17 years in prison in a Barren County courtroom on Monday. The sentence Gardner received was the maximum penalty allowed under Kentucky law. WBKO.com was the first news outlet to report Gardner’s sentence.
He pled guilty in September 2022 to first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor (illegal sex act, victim younger than 16), tampering with a witness and prohibited use of an electronic communication system to procure a minor for sexual activity.
Gardner was originally arrested in October 2019 after the student told authorities she and Gardner had sexual contact on five occasions. When interrogated by police, Gardner admitted he had sex with the juvenile.
A Barren County Grand Jury indicted Gardner for unlawful transaction with a minor and prohibited use of an electronic communications system to procure a minor for sexual activity.
He was released from the Barren County Detention Center in April 2020 on a $75,000 property bond.
Then, in July 2020, authorities learned 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 showed Gardner leaving the hotel before returning a short time later with the girl.
“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,” the Bowling Green Daily News reported at the time.
Gardner was again arrested 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.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
