Former Todd Co. Central High School instructor indicted on rape charges involving minor

ELKTON, Ky. – A former high school instructor was indicted Wednesday, Feb. 15 on 48 charges related to rape, pornography involving a minor and terroristic threatening.

According to court documents, around the time between Sept. 1, 2021 through Nov. 29, 2021, Craig S. Harman, 39, of Clarksville committed third-degree rape and abused his position of authority to engage in sexual activity with a female minor.

Todd County School District superintendent Mark Thomas confirmed Harman worked as a JROTC instructor for Todd County Central High School from July 2021 to November 2021 before resigning from his position Nov. 22 of that year.

Court documents further state Harman was in contact with the minor as a result of his position of authority.

In addition, court documents state in a separate incident within the same time frame, Harman allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor through “forcible compulsion.”

Court documents also state Harman possessed or intentionally viewed 32 videos or photos depicting a sexual performance of a minor. The court documents state 27 of these charges involve one separate minor.

Harman also sent obscene matter to a minor who was 16 years old at the time, according to court documents.

Harman has been indicted on a third-degree terroristic threatening charge, which court documents say originates from him “saying he would kill” the victim if she told anyone about sexual intercourse with him. He also allegedly threatened two other minors with the same outcome if they told anyone about him participating in sexual intercourse with the victim, according to court documents.

Harman has been indicted on charges of third-degree rape, five counts of use of a minor under 18 in a sexual performance, 32 counts of possession of matter portraying a sex performance by a minor between the ages of 12 and 18, first offense, first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor under 18, three counts of distribution of obscene material to minors, first offense, first-degree sexual abuse and three counts of three-degree terroristic threatening.

Thomas further shared how the school district approached the incident, stating in an email that Harman “was immediately relieved of all access to the school campus” when he resigned.

Thomas stated after receiving information about possible inappropriate conduct by Harman, the school district asked for an investigation from law enforcement, which included local law enforcement and the Kentucky State Police.

“The safety and well-being of our students are always our highest priority,” Thomas wrote. He stated the district took additional steps to make a report to the local Kentucky Department of Community Based Services with the Child Protection Branch.

“During subsequent investigations with the various agencies, the district completely cooperated with each entity in order to assist with their investigations. Additionally, the matter was reported to the Kentucky Educational Professional Standards Board,” Thomas stated.

Harman’s bail is currently $100,000. His arraignment date is set for March 15.