Former Floyd County educator sentenced on sexual assault charges

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. – A former Floyd County teacher and coach has been sentenced for sexual assault involving two minors that happened while she was still employed with the school system.

According to Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office, April Bradford, 51, of Weeksbury, Kentucky, admitted in November that she had sexually abused two minors between 1997 and 2007 while she held a position of authority as their coach and teacher while the victims were in middle and high school.

Bradford pled guilty to to eight counts of third-degree sodomy and 11 counts of first-degree sex abuse, officials say.

Bradford was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

The attorney general’s office says Bradford will be registered for life as a sex-offender, which will include five years of post-incarceration supervision.

In compliance with Marsy’s Law, Bradford’s victims read the following statements at her sentencing:

“April Bradford was a terrible influence on my life and caused more damage than good,” said Mary Prater, a victim who spoke at sentencing. “She deceived me, my family, our school, and everyone in the community. I can stand today with my head held high knowing that God gave me and Jessica the strength to grow up and make it stop.”

“Ever since I realized what my interactions with April truly were, I had a burning desire to come forward. I constantly worried about the generation of girls that were following me,” said Jessica Hensley, a victim who also spoke at sentencing. “This legal journey has been mentally difficult, but I am grateful.”

A condition of Bradford’s plea was a 10-year Interpersonal Protective Order against Bradford for the benefit of the victims, according to officials.