JOHNSTOWN, NY — A 40-year-old man faces multiple felony charges following an investigation into alleged sexual assaults against a child.
Steven O Gardner, of Fonda, was arrested by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit at approximately 2:01 p.m. Wednesday.
The investigation centered on a sex offense complaint that allegedly occurred in the Town of Johnstown from January 2021 to June 2025.
Authorities allege Gardner had multiple sexual contacts with a juvenile victim who was less than 11 years old during that time frame.
Gardner was charged with one count of predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A-II felony; seven counts of first-degree rape of a victim less than 11 years old, class B felonies; one count of course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree, a class B felony; and one count of first-degree criminal sexual act with a victim less than 11 years old, a class B felony.
He was processed on the charges and arraigned in CAP Court.
Gardner was remanded to the custody of the Fulton County Correctional Facility without bail.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit was assisted in the investigation and arrest by Fulton County Sheriff Deputies Road Patrol, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and New York State Troopers.
