Former Barren County Middle School teacher sentenced for sex crimes

GLASGOW, Ky. – Former Barren County Middle School teacher William Kyle Gardner will now spend 17 years behind bars for sex crimes committed with a 13-year-old student.

Gardner, who was sentenced Monday, received the maximum penalty for the crimes committed in Barren and Metcalfe counties, according to the Barren County Commonwealth Attorney.

Gardner was originally charged with three counts of illegal sex acts with a minor under age 16 and one count of unlawful use of an electronic to engage in sexual activity with a minor in 2019.

In 2020, Barren County authorities discovered that Gardner had violated the conditions of his release by having contact with the same minor.