Ex-teacher gets 10-year sentence in sodomy case

By Jenna Wilson

A former Robidoux Middle School teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday afternoon following his guilty plea to a charge of first-degree sodomy involving a student.

Everett “Tim” Harding, 47, was charged after a May 7 incident involving a 14-year-old girl he admittedly had sexual contact with.

Harding was sentenced by Judge Patrick Robb, who informed Harding he is required to serve 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Prosecutors fought for a 50-year sentence due to the extent of the crime. However, Robb said he based the sentence on statements from law enforcement trusting that Harding is unlikely to reoffend due to having no prior criminal history.

The victim’s mother spoke out during the sentencing.

“The relationship was not consensual as no minor can consent to this type of situation,” she said.

The mother proceeded to explain that her faith in school officials has been diminished and she is now homeschooling four of her children, including the victim, for that reason.

Harding, of Maryville, was charged after a May 7 incident involving the girl in his locked classroom after school that day. One staff member reported finding Harding’s classroom door locked but then later saw him and the victim leave.

The St. Joseph School District Board of Education terminated his employment in June. Harding had taught math at Robidoux since 2022 and has worked at four other schools in the area, including Spring Garden Middle School in St. Joseph, in the last decade.

As part of Harding’s plea deal, prosecutors agreed not to file additional charges in the case.

The victim’s family and defense attorney declined to comment following the sentencing.