Wichita University director fired after arrest, questioning on felony sex crime charges

According to KWCH, Christopher Garnier has been charged with six counts of breach of privacy and six counts of sexual exploitation of a child, the latter of which is a felony. The breach of privacy charges were filed on May 14, with the sexual exploitation charges being added on May 29.

The probable cause affidavit stated that Garnier’s wife, who lives in California while Garnier lives in Wichita, Kansas, had contacted the police after she discovered that Garnier had ordered a "hidden camera alarm clock." The wife contacted the girl, who lived with Garnier, asking if the alarm clock was in her room, with the girl sending back a photo of the alarm clock.

The wife told detectives that she went through Garnier’s phone when he was in California visiting her and discovered seven videos of the girl undressing and changing clothing in her bedroom in the nude. Detectives with the Exploited and Missing Children Unit arrested Garnier on a traffic warrant at Wichita State University on May 2 and brought him in for questioning related to the hidden camera and videos.

Garnier told detectives during the interview that he had bought the alarm clock because the girl had "gotten herself into a lot of trouble over the years" and he and the wife had spoken about getting a video camera. Garnier said he did not tell his wife that he had begun recording the girl, nor did he tell her that some of the recordings captured the girl in the nude.

The detectives questioned why Garnier wouldn’t just place a camera recording the front door to see if she was sneaking out, noting that Garnier’s apartment is on the seventh floor of an apartment building in downtown Wichita and that escaping out her bedroom window was unlikely.

"Christopher went on to say, ‘she locks herself in her room for hours.’ When asked if Christopher had key to the bedroom, he said, ‘It’s not so much key situation.’ Christopher further explained he just does not go into the bedroom..” the affidavit stated.

Garnier denied keeping the videos for sexual gratification or being sexually attracted to the girl, with the affidavit stating, "Never. Never. I’m offended by it. Never." Garnier provided detectives on May 3 the passwords to access his personal laptop, work computer, and tablet that had been obtained the day prior. Detectives found the hidden camera application and the seven videos on his devices.

Garnier was announced as the new Director of Executive Education and Center for Management Development at the school on June 7, 2023. A press release for the announcement stated that Garnier was also the managing partner EdXecutives, an international education advocacy and consulting firm, and the former Executive Director of AIT Extension. Garnier was also a Captain in the Marine Corps, earning six Air Medals and other honors as a combat helicopter pilot.

“It is an honor to join the dedicated and innovative team at the Barton School,” said Garnier at the time. “I am deeply passionate about delivering transformative and results-focused initiatives. I’m excited to continue the great work of CMD and the Barton School and help our clients reach their full potential.”

The university said he was no longer an employee of the school as of May 10.

On social media, Garnier made posts in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and having animus towards white people. In a post about George Floyd he wrote, "Mr. Floyd's relatives have said that the officers should be charged with murder. 'They treated him worse than they treat animals,' Philonise Floyd, Mr. Floyd's brother, said. 'They took a life — they deserve life.'"

Additionally, Garnier also made posts about supporting Joe Biden and Kamala Harrris as opposed to supporting Donald Trump.

In one post he wrote, "Donald trump needs schools to open because he desperately requires the illusion of normalcy: A sweet-smelling autumn veneer of ordinary to try and cover up the putrid stench of death that the previous six months his recklessness, vanity, and hostility to science have yielded."