Adairville School band director charged in child exploitation material investigation

LOGAN COUNTY, Ky. – A band director at Adairville School in Logan County is behind bars amid a child exploitation material investigation.

According to Kentucky State Police Post Three Public Affairs Officer Trooper Katan Parker, 25-year-old Austin C. Epley is charged with distribution of matter portraying a sex performance by a minor under 12. According to the Logan County Schools website, Adairville School is an elementary school serving grades K-8.

Authorities say Epley was arrested just after 1 p.m. Tuesday. According to troopers, Epley was discovered sharing images of child sexual exploitation online.

As a result, a residence in Russellville was searched, and equipment used in the crime was seized for further examination, authorities say.

Superintendent Dr. Dan Costellow stated the following on Tuesday, Aug. 4:

“I have learned that an employee of the Logan County School District has been arrested by the Kentucky State Police today, has been removed from work, and is in custody. I have taken appropriate action to remove this individual from the district. The safety of our students is always our highest priority, and we will ensure that the employee is not permitted on our school grounds until this matter has been resolved. Due to individual privacy rights, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

Costellow also stated, “I have spoken with detectives from the Kentucky State Police. Based on the information available to us at this time, the matter involving the former employee is not connected to any current or former Logan County Schools students. The district has also begun an internal investigation and will continue to cooperate fully with local and state law enforcement as their investigation proceeds. We will provide additional information when we are able to do so.”

Epley remains at the Logan County Detention Center.