BENTON – Former Marshall County High School football coach and teacher, Ron Barnard, was formally sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison and will be eligible for parole after serving 20% of the prison sentence. Barnard must be on the sex offender registry for the next 20 years.
He was first arrested in June 2014 after a six month investigation by the Marshall County Sheriff’s office conducted when receiving a tip about Barnard in December 2013.
Parents of one of the victims spoke during today’s proceedings as did Barnard who was apologetic, taking full responsibility for his actions. Barnard was handcuffed and led out of the court room.