FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Danbury, CT) – David R. Applegate, Danbury State’s Attorney, today announced that a jury in Danbury Superior Court on September 11, 2023 found Kenneth Gardner, age 53, of Danbury, guilty of the crimes of three counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-70(a)(2) and five counts of Illegal Sexual Contact in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-21(a)(2), Attempt to Commit Sexual Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §§ 53a-49(a)(2)/53a-70(a)(1), Conspiracy to Commit Sexual Assault in the Third Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §§ 53a-48(a)/53a-72(a)(1)(B) and Possession of Child Pornography in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-196d(a)(1). The Honorable Robin Pavia presided over the trial.
Gardner was arrested in May 2022 following an investigation that began in September 2021 following a complaint in which a victim alleged that they had been sexually abused by the defendant between the ages of four and 18 years old, on an almost daily basis. During the course of the investigation, another victim alleged that they were was also sexually assaulted by Gardner as a teenager. At trial, both victims testified and recounted the incidents of sexual abuse. The state also presented evidence that showed an electronic device belonging to the defendant contained more than 65 images of child pornography.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Kristin Chiriatti and Mary-Caitlin Harding.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 21, 2023 in Danbury Superior Court.