Police: Danbury man accused of sexual assault is former teacher
DANBURY — A Danbury man arrested on sexual assault charges last week was a local middle school teacher until a few months before his arrest, according to police.
Deputy Police Chief Michael Sturdevant confirmed on Tuesday that Kenneth Gardner taught at Broadview Middle School.
According to the Danbury school district's human resources director, Gardner resigned as a Broadview Middle School science teacher Feb. 24 — five months after Danbury police launched an investigation into child sexual abuse allegations against him and his wife.
Gardner taught sixth grade science at the middle school, according to an archived class website and an online staff directory the district updated to remove his name after his arrest.
The school district couldn't be immediately reached for comment Tuesday.
He and his wife, Lisa Gardner, were taken into custody May 31, by members of the Danbury Police Department and Department of Homeland Security following an eightmonth investigation into the allegations.
“The child, who is now an adult, was the complainant,” Danbury Police Detective Lt. Mark Williams said last week.
Kenneth Gardner, 51, was charged with firstdegree sexual assault with force, attempt to commit first-degree sexual assault with force, three counts of first-degree sexual assault, five counts of illegal sexual contact, five counts of third-degree sexual assault, conspiracy to commit third-degree sexual assault, and criminal attempt to commit thirddegree sexual assault.
Lisa Gardner, 51, is facing first-degree sexual assault, conspiracy to commit illegal sexual contact and conspiracy to commit first-degree sexual assault charges.
Kenneth Gardner's charges stem from alleged incidents in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2013, while Lisa Gardner's stem from an incident or incidents that allegedly occurred in 2007, according to the state Judicial Branch website.
Court records show they have both pleaded not guilty to the felony charges against them. Attorneys for the Gardners are not listed on the judicial website.
Kenneth Gardner remains held on $750,000 bond at the Bridgeport Correctional Center and has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for June 22.
Lisa Gardner is at the York Correctional Institution on $300,000 bond, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for June 23.
Their files at state Superior Court in Danbury are sealed until at least June 15.