Logan teacher arrested on child porn charges

Published 9:27 am Wednesday, August 5, 2026

A Logan County school band director was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of sharing child sex abuse material.

Austin Cole Epley, 25, was arrested by Kentucky State Police following an undercover investigation and charged with eight counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance.

KSP said the investigation began after the agency’s Electronic Crimes Branch discovered that an online account associated with Epley had been sharing images of child sexual exploitation.

Police obtained a search warrant Tuesday for a Russellville residence and seized electronic devices believed to contain illicit material.

According to an arrest citation, Epley was located in the parking lot of Adairville Elementary School, where he was employed as band director, and taken into custody.

Police said that Epley admitted during an interview to owning the social media account that was identified in a cyber tip as containing at least eight illegal images and videos.

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Epley was booked into Logan County Detention Center, where he is being held under a $125,000 cash bond.

Logan County Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan Costellow released a statement Tuesday in which he said that Epley has been removed from work for the district.

Costellow said that he spoke with KSP detectives and learned that the investigation is not connected to any current or former Logan County students, and that the district has begun an internal investigation.

“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,” Costellow said in the statement.

Epley was scheduled to appear Thursday in Logan District Court for arraignment.

The distribution charge brought against Epley is a Class C felony, with each count punishable by up to 10 years in prison.