Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a former Lawrence police officer on Friday.
The Lawrence Police Department requested KBI assistance on Nov. 1st, 2021 after they received a report from a woman alleging that one of their officers, 41 year old Jonathan M. Gardner, of Tonganoxie, had sexually assaulted her while he was on duty. The crime is suspected to have occurred on Jan. 1, 2017.
The KBI initiated an investigation and Gardner was separated from employment with the Police Department soon after.
KBI agents and the Kansas Highway Patrol arrested Gardner near the intersection of Smiley Rd. and Highway 40.
Gardner was arrested for one count of rape, 12 counts of unlawful acts concerning computers, and 12 counts of official misconduct. The charges of official misconduct and unlawful acts with computers claim Gardner committed illegal and unauthorized searches of the Kansas Criminal Justice Information System (KCJIS), as well as internal police department public safety systems between 2017 and 2020.
After his arrest, Gardner was booked into the Leavenworth County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
The investigation is ongoing. The Douglas County Attorney is expected to prosecute the case.
