08/06/2026
UPDATE
Superintendent Dan Costellow released a statement to Logan County Schoolβs parents saying, βI 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.
βThe 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.β
ADAIRVILLE SCHOOL BAND DIRECTOR ARRESTED ON CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CHARGE
A Logan County middle school band director was arrested Tuesday after an investigation into child s*xual exploitation materials, authorities said.
Austin Cole Epley, 25, of Russellville, was taken into custody at 1 p.m. today by the Kentucky State Police and charged with distribution of matter portraying a s*xual performance by a minor under 12.
Epley serves as the band director for Adairville School, which serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. He was hired in 2024.
According to an arrest citation, state police located Epley in the parking lot of Adairville Elementary School. Officers served a search warrant at a residence located at 100 Northwood Drive in Russellville in connection with the investigation into child s*xual exploitation materials. Electronic devices seized at the residence were previewed at the scene.
Investigators said Epley admitted during a recorded interview to owning the social media account identified in a cyber tip, which contained at least eight images and videos depicting child s*xual exploitation.
State police said Epley's electronic devices will undergo a forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation by the KSP Internet Crimes Against Children task force.
Epley was transported to the Logan County Detention Center.
Logan County Superintendent Dan Costellow released a statement concerning Epley's arrest. "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," said Costellow. "I have taken appropriate action to remove this individual from the District."
Costellow added, "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."
