According to court documents, criminal charges against 42-year-old Kevin M. Kight, of Punxsutawney, and 41-year-old Rebecca Caroline Gardner, of Indiana, have been transferred to the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.
Details on the investigation that led to Kight’s and Gardner’s arrests:
According to a criminal complaint, on December 10, 2015, Trooper Clark, of the Punxsutawney Patrol Unit, was assigned to conduct an investigation involving Kevin Michael Kight concerning allegations he had been receiving nude photographs. The incident occurred at Kight’s residence located at 161 Calvary Lane, in Young Township, Jefferson County. Trooper Clark interviewed a known woman who stated that she discovered two nude photographs (of a 4-year-old girl) on Kight’s cellular phone.
The complaint states that on December 15, 2015, Trooper Clark interviewed Kight at PSP Punxsutawney. Kight was read his Miranda Warnings. During the interview, Kight allegedly admitted to exchanging text and Facebook messages with a known woman for approximately ten years. Kight stated he received two nude photographs (of a 4-year-old girl) on his cellular phone. Kight gave Trooper Clark permission to examine his cell phone, and while doing so, Trooper Clark observed the two referenced nude photographs (of the 4-year-old girl) and 72 additional nude photographs.
On December 15, 2015, Indiana-based State Police were contacted, and Cpl. Aloi and Trooper Lindsay were dispatched to Rebecca Caroline Gardner‘s residence. She was advised of her Miranda Warnings around 9:38 p.m. She allegedly admitted to Cpl. Aloi that she had been sending nude photographs (of the 4-year-old girl) to Kevin Kight. She admitted she had sent photographs as recently as today’s date, the complaint continues.
On December 16, 2015, Gardner met with Trooper Goswick at PSP Indiana for a formal interview. Gardner was read her Miranda Warnings. Gardner admitted that she had been sending pictures (of the 4-year-old girl) in various stages of undress to include nude photographs (of the child) to Kight. Gardner stated that Kight requested pictures (of the child) and she complied with the requests. Gardner stated she and Kight communicate via cellular phone and Facebook messenger, the complaint indicates.
Trooper Goswick asked Gardner if by sending images (of the 4-year-old girl) to Kight she knew it was for the purpose of sexual arousal. Gardner allegedly stated she knew it aroused Kight, and she was sexually aroused, the complaint states.
On December 16, 2015, State Troopers Clark and Powell interviewed Gardner at Punxsutawney Station. Gardner allegedly admitted she was responsible for taking photographs (of the 4-year-old girl) and sending them to Kight, the complaint states.
On December 17, 2015, State Troopers Ronan and Powell interviewed Kight at Punxsutawney Station.
During the interview, Kight allegedly admitted to the following crimes:
- There are “hundreds” of photographs on his computer.
- He had underwear in his possession.
- He identified several nude photographs seized from his residence.
- He confirmed he and Rebecca Gardner exchanged Facebook messages of a planned encounter with the child that was scheduled to take place on or about December 16, 2015, at his residence for the purpose of a sexual intercourse. He admitted the encounter did not take place because of his arrest.
Seized from Kight’s residence were a computer, photographs and female underwear, the complaint continues.
Seized from Gardner’s residence were a computer and cellular phones.
Data was also seized from Facebook accounts.
On January 22, 2016, a Bureau of Crime Investigation report was released with the following findings:
- Over 300 images and messages were found on Kight’s cell phone pertaining to this investigation were located.
- Over 1,500 pictures were discovered on Kight’s second cell phone. At a minimum, there are 500 photographs (of a 4-year-old girl) in various stages of undress and nudity including photographs.
- Over 4,500 pictures were discovered on Kight’s computer. At a minimum, there are 500 photographs (of a child) in various stages of undress and nudity were discovered including photographs.
- Over 200 pictures (of a child) were discovered on Gardner’s cell phone in various stages of nudity. The photographs included (the child) wearing underwear, using the restroom while seated on the toilet, and what appears to be soiled underwear.
On April 19, 2016, Detective Robert Erdely, who is assigned to the Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, completed an analysis of photographs on Kight’s computer and Gardner’s cellular phone, indicating the photographs are the same.
On May 4, 2016, police were able to identify 89 photographs on Gardner’s cell phone that had been sent to Kight’s cell phones and computer. The photographs depicted (the 4-year-old girl).
Based on his investigation, Trooper Powell filed criminal complaints against Kight and Gardner in Magisterial District Judge Robert Chambers’s office.
Kight faces the following charges:
- Criminal Solicitation – Rape of Child, Felony 1
- Criminal Solicitation – Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
- Criminal Solicitation – Sexual Assault, Felony 2
- Criminal Solicitation – Indecent Assault Person Less than 13 Years of Age, Felony 3
- Conspiracy – Rape of Child, Felony 1
- Conspiracy – Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
- Conspiracy – Sexual Assault, Felony 2
- Conspiracy – Indecent Assault Person Less than 13 Years of Age, Felony 3
- Child Pornography, Felony 3 (500 counts)
- Criminal Solicitation – Dissem Photo/Film of Child Sex Acts, Felony 3 (500 counts)
In another case, Kight faces 72 counts of Child Pornography.
Kight is also facing charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl.
The cases against Kight are working their way through the court system.
Kight remains in the Jefferson County Jail.
According to court documents in the Court of Common Pleas, Gardner faces the following charges:
- Photograph/Film/Depict on Computer Sex Act – Knowingly Depicts on Computer, Photo, etc., Felony 2 (72 counts)
- Disseminating Photo/Film of Child Sex Acts, Felony 3 (72 counts)
- Child Pornography, Felony 3 (72 counts)
- Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3 (72 counts)
- Endangering Welfare of Children – Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Felony 3 (72 counts)
She is currently lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.
Her case is working its way through the court system.
Punxsutawney-based State Police was assisted in the investigation by members of PSP-Indiana, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Jefferson County Children and Youth Services, Indiana County Children and Youth Service, and the Indiana County Child Advocacy Center.