01/16/2026
RICHARD GIARDINO DANIEL IZZO
SHERIFF UNDERSHERIFF
PRESS RELEASE
Date of release 01/15/2026
Date: January 14, 2026
Arrestee: Steven O Gardner
Address: 1149 St Hwy 334 Fonda, NY 12068
Charges:
One (1) Count:
NYS PL § 130.96, Predatory s*xual assault against a child
Class “A-II” Felony
Seven (7) Counts:
NYS PL § 130.35, R**e 1st – victim less than 11yrs old
Class “B” Felonies
One (1) Count:
NYS PL § 130.75 A, Course of s*xual conduct against a child in the first degree
Class “B” Felony
One (1) Count:
NYS PL § 130.50 03, Criminal s*x act 1st, victim less than 11yrs old.
Class “B” Felony
Sheriff Richard C. Giardino and the members of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office report the following information for immediate release:
On Wednesday, January 14th 2026, at approximately 2:01 PM, 40 year old Steven O Gardner, was arrested by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit following an investigation into a S*x Offense complaint that occurred in the Town of Johnstown from January of 2021 to June of 2025.
RICHARD GIARDINO DANIEL IZZO
SHERIFF UNDERSHERIFF
PRESS RELEASE
Date of release 01/15/2026
Continuation:
It is alleged that during the above time frame, Gardner had multiple s*xual contacts with a juvenile victim that was less than 11 years old. Gardner was charge with one count of Predatory s*xual assault against a child, a class A-II Felony, seven counts of R**e 1st – victim less than 11yrs old, class B Felonies, one count of Course of s*xual conduct against a child in the first degree, class B Felony, and one count Criminal s*x act 1st, victim less than 11yrs old, class B Felony.
Gardner was processed on the above stated charges, arraigned in CAP Court, and was remanded to the custody of the Fulton County Correctional Facility without bail.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit would like to thank the Fulton County Sheriff Deputies Road Patrol, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the New York State Troopers for their assistance in the investigation and arrest of this individual.
While there was probable cause for this arrest all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
