Man sentenced after pleading guilty to rape, sexual abuse of Simpson County minor

FRANKLIN, Ky. – A man is facing 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges involving illegal sexual activity with a minor.

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, Austin Nathaniel Piper, 23, of Central City pleaded guilty in the Simpson County Circuit Court. The guilty plea applied to charges of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, use of a minor under 16 in a sex performance, possession or view of matter portraying the sexual performance of a minor, distribution of obscene material to minors and first-degree sexual abuse.

As a result, the court sentenced Piper to a 20-year prison sentence and lifelong sex offender registration.

In November 2021, the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation after police say Piper had unlawful sexual contact with a minor within Simpson County.

The Simpson County Grand Jury indicted Piper on Jan. 12, 2022 before he was arrested on Jan. 18, 2022.

Piper remains in the Simpson County Detention Center.

The Simpson County Sheriff’s Office was also assisted in the investigation by the Simpson County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Kentucky State Police Post 3, the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center and Simpson County Protection and Permanency.