Barren County Middle School teacher charged with rape

GLASGOW, Ky. – Barren County Middle School teacher William Gardner was charged Saturday with sex crimes involving a 13-year-old student, according to his arrest citation.

Gardner is charged with second-degree rape, first-degree sex abuse and tampering with physical evidence, according to online Barren County Detention Center records.

During an interview with Barren County Sheriff’s deputies, Gardner admitted to engaging in sex acts with the teen, according to his arrest citation. He also told deputies that he blocked the teen on the social media app Snapchat because he thought someone might find out.

Deputies were called to the school Friday to assist social services with the sex crime allegations, according to his citation. He was arrested Saturday.

He is being held in the Barren County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond.

“On Friday, October 25, 2019, local law enforcement notified school officials of allegations of an inappropriate relationship between Barren County Middle School teacher William Kyle Gardner and a middle school student,” Barren County Schools superintendent Bo Matthews said.  “I understand that Mr. Gardner was arrested on October 26, 2019 and is currently lodged in the Barren County Jail.

“The Barren County Schools takes all allegations of sexual misconduct extremely seriously and is fully cooperating with law enforcement at this time. The school district will continue to closely monitor the situation and will take all appropriate actions necessary to protect our students,” he said.