Gray pleads not guilty, possible trial date set

A former Central Hardin High School teacher could be headed to trial in the fall on sex crime charges.

Steven Blake Gray entered a plea of not guilty Tuesday to charges of sexual abuse at his arraignment in front of Circuit Judge Kelly Mark Easton. A meeting with attorneys was scheduled for Aug. 1, and if no agreements can be reached at that time, trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Oct. 10.

Gray was indicted in March on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Gray was charged in December with allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old student multiple times, as well has having a sexual encounter with a 16-year-old student. Both girls were students at CHHS.

Kentucky Revised Statutes makes provisions for adults in positions of authority to be charged with sex crimes against those over the age of 16.
Gray was fired from Central Hardin after an investigation by Hardin County Schools prompted by an anonymous phone call.

Gray’s arrest warrant states he admitted to having sex with the 17-year-old several times between October 2009 and February 2010. The encounter with the 16-year-old occurred in a Glendale park in November in Gray’s car, where he and the girl allegedly kissed and touched each other sexually.

Kelly Cantrall can be reached at (270) 505-1747 or kcantrall@thenewsenterprise.com.