A former Shasta County School employee has been arrested after allegedly showing obscene material to a student. On February 23rd a student who attended an after school program at the Redding STEM Academy told his parents that 39-year-old Fred Charles Gardner the Third had allowed him access to his cell phone. The student said he saw nude photos of kids about his age. Redding Police were called and they seized the cell phone. Gardner was placed on administrative leave by the Shasta County Office of Education, and he resigned soon after. RPD Detectives say they found child sexual abuse material on the phone, including images that appeared to be real children modified with AI to sexualize them. So far none of the images appear to depict any students with whom Gardner had contact. On Tuesday detectives arrested him and during questioning he allegedly confessed to producing and distributing the materials.
-Steve Gibson