FRANKFORT, KY (February 29, 2024) – Attorney General Russell Coleman announced today that action by the Attorney General's Special Prosecutions Unit resulted in the sentencing of April Bradford, 51, of Weeksbury, for crimes involving the sexual assault of minors while she was their coach and teacher.
"The offenders who exploit children inflict painful damage that lasts long beyond the time of their crimes. We in law enforcement must continue adapting to protect our young people from these predators," said General Coleman. "I'm grateful to Ms. Prater and Ms. Hensley who used their powerful stories to ensure justice was done. These are women of incredible courage who can inspire others to prevent this abuse in the future."
Bradford was sentenced to three and a half years of prison. In addition, she will be a lifetime sex-offender registrant under the Kentucky Sex Offender Registry, which includes five years of post-incarceration supervision by the Department of Corrections. A condition of the plea was a 10-year Interpersonal Protective Order against Bradford for the benefit of the victims.
On November 30, 2023, Bradford pled guilty to eight counts of Sodomy Third Degree (Class D Felony) and 11 counts of Sex Abuse First Degree (Class D Felony). Bradford was previously indicted by a Floyd County Grand Jury. During her plea, Bradford admitted to sexually abusing two minors between 1997 and 2007, both of whom she held a position of authority over as their coach and teacher during the victims' middle and high school years.
In compliance with Marsy's Law, Bradford's victims read a statement at the sentencing.
"April Bradford was a terrible influence on my life and caused more damage than good," said Mary Prater, a victim who spoke at sentencing. "She deceived me, my family, our school, and everyone in the community. I can stand today with my head held high knowing that God gave me and Jessica the strength to grow up and make it stop."
"Ever since I realized what my interactions with April truly were, I had a burning desire to come forward. I constantly worried about the generation of girls that were following me," said Jessica Hensley, a victim who also spoke at sentencing. "This legal journey has been mentally difficult, but I am grateful."
The Kentucky State Police investigated the case. The Attorney General's Criminal Chief Rewa Zakharia prosecuted the case before the Floyd Circuit Court on behalf of the Commonwealth. Erica Paske with the Attorney General's Office of Victim Advocacy provided assistance to Bradford's victims.
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