Indian Trail Orchestra Teacher Fired Amid Sexual Assault Proceedings

Copied!
Nathan R. Gardner (27) of Racine, WI Appears In Court On November 8, 2023
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The Kenosha Unified School Board District voted tonight unanimously to fire the Orchestra teacher at Indian Trail and Academy High School. Making the motion to terminate the employment was board member Todd Battle and seconding the motion was Eric Meadows. Nathan R. Gardner is holding on a $30,000 cash bail after being charged with five serious sex charges. He was charged on November 9, 2023 with possession of child pornography, child enticement, two counts of exposing a child to harmful material, and one count of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. Gardner faces a maximum sentence of almost 100 years in the Wisconsin Prison system if convicted of all charges. He also faces a minimum sentence of eight years in prison if convicted.

Paid Advertisement
Nathan R. Gardner (27) of Racine, WI Appears In Court On November 8, 2023
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

According to the criminal complaint:

Paid Advertisement

On October 26, 2023, a Kenosha Police Officer was notified of a potential sex crime involving a staff member at Indian Trail High School in Kenosha. The staff member was identified as the orchestra teacher Nathan Gardner. The officer made contact with a teacher who said she was approached by two of her students who wished to report that their minor friend, “Freddy”, was having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a teacher at the school.

Paid Advertisement

The students didn’t know all of the details, but they told the teacher that Freddy and Gardner met on the “hook-up” site “Grindr.” According to its website, Grindr is the world’s largest “social networking app” for gay, bi, trans, and queer people. They knew that Freddy and Gardner exchanged nude photos and had some sexual contact when Freddy was 14 or 15 years old during his freshman year.

Paid Advertisement

A Kenosha Police detective started an investigation, but learned that the crimes occurred in the Village of Somers. He handed off the case to veteran Detective Daniel Bella with the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department. Bella is a part of the Sheriff’s Department’s sensitive crime division and has a very high conviction rate.

Paid Advertisement

Detective Bella eventually interviewed the alleged victim, Freddy. He disclosed that in the fall of his Freshman year, which was in 2021 when he was 14-15 years old, he downloaded Grindr and created an account which indicated he was 18 years old and included a photo of himself. When men would message him, Freddy would tell them that he was 14/15 years old and they would stop talking to him. However, at one point, an adult male profile without a photograph messaged Freddy. This profile was later determined to be Gardner’s.

Paid Advertisement

Freddy told the Defendant he was 16 years old and Gardner continued to message Freddy. After a while, Gardner asked Freddy for his Snapchat username, which Freddy provided and their communication moved to Snapchat. On Snapchat, Freddy disclosed that he was actually 15 years old. Gardner asked where he went to school and Freddy told him ITA. Gardner then stated that he was 18 years old and a senior at ITA. When Freddy asked the Defendant what his name was, the Defendant told him “Steven Clark.” Gardner never sent Freddy photos of his face.

Nathan R. Gardner (27) of Racine, WI
(Kenosha Sheriff)

The two of them eventually began sexting and sharing explicit images. Freddy sent Gardner pictures of himself clothed and nude, including photographs of Freddy’s penis (child pornography). Gardner also sent photographs of himself clothed and nude, including photographs of Gardner’s penis. When Freddy would send nude photographs of himself, Gardner would save these photographs, which detectives know to be a visible notification on Snapchat. When asked about identifying characteristics of Gardner’s body, Freddy knew the Defendant had a tattoo on his thigh.

As far as explicit messages, Freddy stated that he and Gardner would chat about sexual acts and discuss doing those acts with each other, including oral and anal intercourse. Throughout the course of these conversations, the Gardner told Freddy that his name wasn’t “Steven Clark,” but was in fact “Nick.”

In the Spring Semester of 2022, when Freddy was still 15 years old, Freddy provided Gardner his address and asked Gardner to bring him some ice cream from McDonalds. Gardner got Freddy ice cream and drove to Freddy’s house, making sure to park out of view. Freddy went outside and got into Gardner’s vehicle, which Freddy described as a white SUV. Freddy stated that while in the car, they talked for a bit and kissed. This was the one and only time they met in person outside of school. Freddy stated that they did see each other a few times at ITA and talked briefly. It should be noted that Gardner’s classroom at ITA was located in a portion of the building that only students who are in band, orchestra or choir would utilize. Freddy did not take any of those elective classes, which explains why Freddy and Gardner rarely saw each other or ran into each other at school.

Sometime after this face-to-face meeting, Freddy asked Gardner if his name was “Nicholas” and Gardner told him it was “Nathan.” Freddy then asked for the first letter of his last name, and Gardner said “G.” Freddy then obtained his freshman yearbook and began to look at all the “Nathan’s and all the students with a last name starting with “G.” He compared these with a photograph he had saved of Gardner’s partial face, which Gardner sent him via Snapchat. Freddy didn’t find any matches for Gardner in the student section, but kept looking. Eventually, Freddy came across the orchestra teacher “Nathan Gardner” and immediately recognized him as the guy who brought him ice cream and whom Freddy kissed. Freddy immediately confronted Gardner on social media about him being a teacher, but Gardner brushed it off and attempted to continue normal conversation. Freddy unfriended Gardner from his social media accounts.

During Freddy’s Sophomore year, between 2022-2023, Freddy transferred from ITA to another high school and the two of them began messaging again. Freddy stated that it began by Gardner asking Freddy not to tell anyone about what had occurred between the two of them. Freddy told Gardner he would not. As the two of them began messaging again, Freddy began to have feelings for Gardner again. Freddy stated that he got past the fact that Gardner was a teacher.

Indian Trail High School & Academy
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson)

The two of them then began sexting and sending explicit photographs back and forth again. When Freddy would send Gardner an explicit photograph, Gardner would once again save them. If Freddy asked Gardner to “unsave” the photographs, he would. By the end of Freddy’s Sophomore year, the sexting and sending of explicit images stopped, and they just had normal conversations.

During Freddy’s Junior year, beginning in the Fall of 2023, Gardner continued to message Freddy. Freddy would sometimes respond, but most of the time he would not even open the messages from Gardner. Gardner also attempted to re-add Freddy as a friend on his social media accounts. Freddy showed this to his friend and told his friend that it was the teacher Freddy had been talking to. It should be noted that Gardner was employed as a teacher at ITHSA during the entire time Freddy was in communication with him.

On November 7, 2023, Detective Bella, along with other law enforcement officers, took Gardner into custody at his home in Racine, Wisconsin. On his person was his cell phone, which was seized along with other electronics within the home. Also present was Gardner’s partner. Detective Bella contacted the Kenosha County Jail after Gardner was booked. Gardner disclosed during the booking process that he has a tattoo on his right thigh, as the alleged victim was able to describe.

Gardner is due back in court on January 18 2024 for a pre-trial conference.

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS

Steil Secures $700K Federal Grant for Pike River Restoration in Kenosha County

KENOSHA, Wis. – Kenosha County will receive $700,000 in federal funding to support water quality improvements and habitat restoration along the Pike River, Congressman Bryan Steil announced Friday. The money, awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, will go to the Kenosha County Division of Parks. The grant is intended to help restore more than 3,200 feet of streambank and

Plus +

Teen Charged in High-Speed Chase That Endangered Multiple Children

SOMERS, Wis. – A Kenosha teenager is facing six felony charges after allegedly leading deputies on a dangerous high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods with three juveniles in the vehicle, including two minors who had reportedly stolen a relative’s car. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

MORE TOP STORIES

Somers Man Accused of Assaulting Elderly Housemate, Obstructing Arrest

SOMERS, Wis. — A 61-year-old Somers man is facing felony charges after allegedly assaulting his elderly housemate and refusing to cooperate with sheriff’s deputies during a chaotic arrest at a deteriorating home in the Town of Somers. Nick W. Picazo was formally charged Friday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with

Plus +

Underwear-Clad Intruder Charged After Breaking Into Porch, Banging on Door

Phillipp Schiavi, 58, of Kenosha KENOSHA, Wis. — A 58-year-old Kenosha man is facing three criminal charges after allegedly running through a neighborhood in his underwear and trying to force his way into a stranger’s home while screaming profanities. You must be logged in to view the rest of this

Plus +

Trio Charged in Kenosha Wallet Theft and Gift Card Scheme

Keir Saunders, 47, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. — Three suspects are facing felony charges after a Kenosha grocery store manager’s stolen wallet was used to buy over $1,200 in gift cards at Walmart last month. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Categories
Archives
Authors

7 Responses

  1. Good riddance. One pedo groomer scumbag down and who knows how many more to go. KUSD actually doing something right getting rid of him and those pervert books is refreshing!

    8
    1
    1. Like to know who the 4 idiots are that thumb down this comment. Really? You enjoy multiple kusd employees having sexual relations and acting like clowns

      1
      2
  2. The Kenosha school district puts pornographic materials in the school libraries and promotes LGBTQ and radical gender ideology in the schools. How can anyone be surprised that this scumbag acted out with a student who likely read one of the books? If you promote disordered behaviors long enough they become normal .

    10
    6
  3. I can’t believe they even had to vote on this! Remove immediately! Pay attention to the next schoolboard election. It was the 2 conservatives that made the motions on this. There are some radicals running who are OK with porn in school. Do you trust them to make decisions like this and to protect your kids?

    5
    4

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST NEWS

Steil Secures $700K Federal Grant for Pike River Restoration in Kenosha County

KENOSHA, Wis. – Kenosha County will receive $700,000 in federal funding to support water quality improvements and habitat restoration along the Pike River, Congressman Bryan Steil announced Friday. The money, awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, will go to the Kenosha County Division of Parks. The grant is intended to help restore more than 3,200 feet of streambank and

Plus +

Teen Charged in High-Speed Chase That Endangered Multiple Children

SOMERS, Wis. – A Kenosha teenager is facing six felony charges after allegedly leading deputies on a dangerous high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods with three juveniles in the vehicle, including two minors who had reportedly stolen a relative’s car. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

$17,500 Bail Set for Kenosha Man Caught with Fentanyl, MDMA, and Marijuana, Police Say

Elijah B. Echols, 27, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 27-year-old Kenosha man with a violent criminal history is facing three new felony drug charges after police say they caught him with more than 30 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and MDMA, along with a stash of marijuana hidden in his body. You must be logged in to view the rest of

Somers Man Accused of Assaulting Elderly Housemate, Obstructing Arrest

SOMERS, Wis. — A 61-year-old Somers man is facing felony charges after allegedly assaulting his elderly housemate and refusing to cooperate with sheriff’s deputies during a chaotic arrest at a deteriorating home in the Town of Somers. Nick W. Picazo was formally charged Friday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with felony physical abuse of an elder person—intentionally causing bodily harm. He also faces

Plus +

Underwear-Clad Intruder Charged After Breaking Into Porch, Banging on Door

Phillipp Schiavi, 58, of Kenosha KENOSHA, Wis. — A 58-year-old Kenosha man is facing three criminal charges after allegedly running through a neighborhood in his underwear and trying to force his way into a stranger’s home while screaming profanities. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Trio Charged in Kenosha Wallet Theft and Gift Card Scheme

Keir Saunders, 47, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. — Three suspects are facing felony charges after a Kenosha grocery store manager’s stolen wallet was used to buy over $1,200 in gift cards at Walmart last month. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Salem Lakes Board Sparks Outrage After Voting to Let Convicted Predator Live Near Park, Boy Scout Camp

Child Predator Joshuah C. Koboldt, 40, of Salem Lakes (9416 276th Avenue)(Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry) SALEM LAKES, Wis. — The Salem Lakes Village Board ignited a firestorm this week after narrowly approving a convicted child predator’s request to live just steps away from a children’s park and Camp Wonderland, a well-known Boy Scout campground. You must be logged in to view the rest

Extreme Heat Warning: Kenosha County Reminds Residents of Available Cooling Centers

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. – With extreme heat warnings in effect this week, Kenosha County officials are urging residents to take precautions and make use of designated cooling centers throughout the area. Cooling centers are available at various municipal buildings, libraries, and community organizations across the county. These locations offer air-conditioned relief and are open to the public during the hours listed below: .

Plus +

Strangulation, Threats, and False Imprisonment: Kenosha Man Faces 10 Charges

Arturo L. Martinez III, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 24-year-old Kenosha man is facing ten criminal charges—including felony strangulation, false imprisonment, and threats to injure—after a woman reported months of domestic violence that allegedly occurred in front of their young children. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Kenosha Man Charged in Drive-By Shooting at Family Party

Damien C. Wess, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 24-year-old Kenosha man is facing two felony charges after allegedly driving a getaway vehicle from a shooting that took place at a family gathering. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Paddock Lake Man Accused of Strangling Neighbor Over Property Dispute

PADDOCK LAKE, Wis. — A 54-year-old Paddock Lake man has been charged with felony strangulation and elder abuse after allegedly attacking his 66-year-old neighbor during a property line dispute on June 15 in the Village of Paddock Lake. Richard K. Ruck faces three charges: physical abuse of an elder person, strangulation and suffocation, and disorderly conduct. The criminal complaint, filed June 17 in

Free German-Style Pop-Up Biergarten Returns to Kenosha’s Lakefront July 17–19

KENOSHA, Wis. — A popular summer tradition is returning to HarborPark as the Hofbräu Pop-up Biergarten sets up along the lakefront from July 17 through July 19. The event is free to attend and promises three days of festive, family-friendly fun in the spirit of a traditional German Biergarten. Held at Celebration Place, 5501 Ring Road, the biergarten will serve authentic Hofbräuhaus beer

Plus +

Kenosha Riot Participant Denied Early Release by Judge

Kelly Ziminski, 34(Kenosha County Sheriff and Wisconsin DOC) KENOSHA, Wis. — One of the rioters present the night Kyle Rittenhouse shot three people in Kenosha has been denied early release from prison. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Kenosha Woman Sues County After Sheriff’s Squad Crashes Through Funeral Procession

Kenosha Sheriff’s Squad(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha woman is suing Kenosha County after a sheriff’s squad allegedly ran a red light and drove through a funeral procession, crashing into her vehicle and causing serious injuries. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Restraining Order Violator Allegedly Threatened to “Make Body Disappear,” Witness Says

SALEM, Wis. — Michael A. Daniels, a failed farmer with a long trail of legal troubles, was in court Tuesday after allegedly violating a temporary restraining order just hours after being served. Kenosha County Court Commissioner William Michel set bail at $500 cash. Daniels, 48, of Salem, is charged with violating a temporary restraining order issued May 19. If convicted, he faces up

Kenosha Bartender Accused of Scissors Attack On Sister

KENOSHA, Wis. — In the early hours of June 2, 2025, a 33-year-old Kenosha bartender, Justine E. Bloxdorf, was arrested after allegedly attacking her sister with a pair of scissors following a reported dispute involving drugs. According to police sources, a 9-1-1 call was made around 2:22 a.m., shortly after Bloxdorf finished her shift at a downtown tavern. Responding Kenosha officers recommended criminal

Fourth OWI Defendant Wanted After Failing to Appear in Court

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — A Burlington man is now the subject of an active arrest warrant after failing to appear in court Wednesday on felony charges related to an alleged fourth drunk driving offense earlier this month. Matthew J. Mortensen, 47, was summoned to appear at 1 p.m. in Kenosha County Circuit Court for an initial appearance in case 2025CF000855. When he failed

Plus +

Man Accused of Pointing Gun at Neighbor During Lakefront Dispute

Thomas L. Carlson Jr., 50, of Burlington(Kenosha County Sheriff) WHEATLAND, Wis. — A 50-year-old Burlington man is facing criminal charges after allegedly pulling a gun on his neighbor during a late-night confrontation at Lily Lake, escalating what authorities described as an ongoing feud between the two men. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Kenosha Man Held Woman Hostage at Knife Point for Seven Hours, Prosecutors Say

Glen D. Pipkin Jr., 40, of Kenosha in Court Today(Photo by Nathan DeBruin, for Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man is facing serious felony charges and is being held on a high cash bail after police say he brutally attacked and held a woman hostage inside their shared home for over seven hours, using a knife to threaten, injure, and

Plus +

Kenosha Woman Accused of Stealing SUV, Resisting Arrest While Out on Bond for Two Other Cases

Crystal S. Wakefield, 31, of Kenosha of Kenosha In Court Today(Photo by Nathan DeBruin for Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 31-year-old Kenosha woman is facing six new criminal charges after allegedly stealing a vehicle and resisting arrest while already out on bond in two separate cases. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

LATEST NEWS

Steil Secures $700K Federal Grant for Pike River Restoration in Kenosha County

KENOSHA, Wis. – Kenosha County will receive $700,000 in federal funding to support water quality improvements and habitat restoration along the Pike River, Congressman Bryan Steil announced Friday. The money, awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, will go to the Kenosha County Division of Parks. The grant is intended to help restore more than 3,200 feet of streambank and

Plus +

Teen Charged in High-Speed Chase That Endangered Multiple Children

SOMERS, Wis. – A Kenosha teenager is facing six felony charges after allegedly leading deputies on a dangerous high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods with three juveniles in the vehicle, including two minors who had reportedly stolen a relative’s car. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

$17,500 Bail Set for Kenosha Man Caught with Fentanyl, MDMA, and Marijuana, Police Say

Elijah B. Echols, 27, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 27-year-old Kenosha man with a violent criminal history is facing three new felony drug charges after police say they caught him with more than 30 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and MDMA, along with a stash of marijuana hidden in his body. You must be logged in to view the rest of

Somers Man Accused of Assaulting Elderly Housemate, Obstructing Arrest

SOMERS, Wis. — A 61-year-old Somers man is facing felony charges after allegedly assaulting his elderly housemate and refusing to cooperate with sheriff’s deputies during a chaotic arrest at a deteriorating home in the Town of Somers. Nick W. Picazo was formally charged Friday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with felony physical abuse of an elder person—intentionally causing bodily harm. He also faces

Plus +

Underwear-Clad Intruder Charged After Breaking Into Porch, Banging on Door

Phillipp Schiavi, 58, of Kenosha KENOSHA, Wis. — A 58-year-old Kenosha man is facing three criminal charges after allegedly running through a neighborhood in his underwear and trying to force his way into a stranger’s home while screaming profanities. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Trio Charged in Kenosha Wallet Theft and Gift Card Scheme

Keir Saunders, 47, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. — Three suspects are facing felony charges after a Kenosha grocery store manager’s stolen wallet was used to buy over $1,200 in gift cards at Walmart last month. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Salem Lakes Board Sparks Outrage After Voting to Let Convicted Predator Live Near Park, Boy Scout Camp

Child Predator Joshuah C. Koboldt, 40, of Salem Lakes (9416 276th Avenue)(Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry) SALEM LAKES, Wis. — The Salem Lakes Village Board ignited a firestorm this week after narrowly approving a convicted child predator’s request to live just steps away from a children’s park and Camp Wonderland, a well-known Boy Scout campground. You must be logged in to view the rest

Extreme Heat Warning: Kenosha County Reminds Residents of Available Cooling Centers

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. – With extreme heat warnings in effect this week, Kenosha County officials are urging residents to take precautions and make use of designated cooling centers throughout the area. Cooling centers are available at various municipal buildings, libraries, and community organizations across the county. These locations offer air-conditioned relief and are open to the public during the hours listed below: .

Plus +

Strangulation, Threats, and False Imprisonment: Kenosha Man Faces 10 Charges

Arturo L. Martinez III, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 24-year-old Kenosha man is facing ten criminal charges—including felony strangulation, false imprisonment, and threats to injure—after a woman reported months of domestic violence that allegedly occurred in front of their young children. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Kenosha Man Charged in Drive-By Shooting at Family Party

Damien C. Wess, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 24-year-old Kenosha man is facing two felony charges after allegedly driving a getaway vehicle from a shooting that took place at a family gathering. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Paddock Lake Man Accused of Strangling Neighbor Over Property Dispute

PADDOCK LAKE, Wis. — A 54-year-old Paddock Lake man has been charged with felony strangulation and elder abuse after allegedly attacking his 66-year-old neighbor during a property line dispute on June 15 in the Village of Paddock Lake. Richard K. Ruck faces three charges: physical abuse of an elder person, strangulation and suffocation, and disorderly conduct. The criminal complaint, filed June 17 in

Free German-Style Pop-Up Biergarten Returns to Kenosha’s Lakefront July 17–19

KENOSHA, Wis. — A popular summer tradition is returning to HarborPark as the Hofbräu Pop-up Biergarten sets up along the lakefront from July 17 through July 19. The event is free to attend and promises three days of festive, family-friendly fun in the spirit of a traditional German Biergarten. Held at Celebration Place, 5501 Ring Road, the biergarten will serve authentic Hofbräuhaus beer

Plus +

Kenosha Riot Participant Denied Early Release by Judge

Kelly Ziminski, 34(Kenosha County Sheriff and Wisconsin DOC) KENOSHA, Wis. — One of the rioters present the night Kyle Rittenhouse shot three people in Kenosha has been denied early release from prison. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Kenosha Woman Sues County After Sheriff’s Squad Crashes Through Funeral Procession

Kenosha Sheriff’s Squad(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha woman is suing Kenosha County after a sheriff’s squad allegedly ran a red light and drove through a funeral procession, crashing into her vehicle and causing serious injuries. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Categories
Archives
Authors

Wake Up to What You Missed

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.