TN Radio: Ex-Radio Voice Jailed For 40-Years For Sexual Assault

Ken Mallard

Longtime Lexington radio personality Kerry Mallard received a 40-year sentence in prison for a guilty verdict of one count of continuous abuse of a child on Friday in Henderson County Circuit Court.

The Jackson Sun reports Mallard was charged in October 2019 with sexual abuse of a minor.

Mallard’s wife operated a daycare out of their home, and the alleged incidents occurred there during daycare hours.

The child’s mother said the child was instructed by Mallard not to tell anyone, and the child was reportedly called a liar by Mallard and his wife.

The child’s father read an emotional statement to the court.

“I challenged myself to protect my children,” the statement said. “Kerry Mallard has prevented that and has groomed and overstepped his boundaries for his sexual gratification.”

The father said his child was very trusting of Mallard and referred to him as “my buddy.”

Mallard has 22 other convictions of continuous sexual assault for which the sentencings were merged to cause the 40 years’ sentencing.

But he will have another court appearance on April 8 for a sexual battery case related to the 22 other counts.

Mallard served as advertising and sports director for WBFG-FM 96.5, a major West Tennessee sports station operated by Lexington Broadcasting. He also broadcasted Lexington High School sports games on the company's country music station WZLT-FM 99.3.