Former S.C. coach gets 20 years in sex case

WALHALLA, S.C. — A former Oconee County wrestling coach and teacher has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty sex crimes involving minors.

Forty-year-old Richard Onley Gardner III pleaded guilty in Walhalla on Thursday.

The charges included criminal sexual conduct with a minor, lewd acts on a child and disseminating sexual material to a child.

Prosecutors say the offenses were committed in Oconee and Chesterfield counties.

Gardner also must register as a sex offender.

Townes Jones IV says his client has expressed remorse and regret for his actions in telephone calls to his victims.

Gardner was arrested last year at Pageland Central High School in Chesterfield County. He had worked in Chesterfield County since 2005. He worked in Oconee County from 1995 to 2005.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

WSOC