Oconee School District has confirmed that a man arrested by the sheriff’s department in a case of alleged sex crimes worked in the district as late as eight years ago. Dr. Mike Lucas, county superintendent, said the man arrested, Kershaw resident Richard Onley Gardner III, worked as an Oconee school district teacher and coach between 1995 and 2005. Lucas declined to identify his specific assignment and school of employment. Law enforcement records show Gardner, 39,is charged with 24 cases of alleged crimes involving victim or victims of minor age. A spokeswoman for the sheriff’s department says an announcement on the case will be issued shortly.
