Logan County Teacher Arrested For Child Porn

Austin Cole Epley, 25, of Russellville

Edmonson Voice Report:
​A Logan County educator was arrested Tuesday on charges related to child sexual exploitation materials, according to Kentucky State Police. 

Austin Cole Epley, 25, of Russellville, was charged with distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under 12.

Epley was arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation on Tuesday, August 4th. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering the suspect sharing images of child sexual exploitation online.

Epley was the band director for Adairville Elementary School, a K-8 facility. According to Logan County Superintendent Dan Costellow, Epley "has been removed from work, and is in custody. I have taken appropriate action to remove this individual from the District," Dr. Costellow said in a released statement.

Dr. Costellow also stated that based on the current information available, the matter involving the former employee was 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."​

According to KSP, the investigation resulted in a search warrant at a residence in Russellville on August 4, 2026. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination, police said.

"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," Dr. Costellow's statement said. "Due to individual privacy rights, we are unable to comment further at this time."

Mr. Epley is currently charged with eight counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance under 12 years old.  These charges are Class-C felonies, punishable by five to ten years in prison.  Epley was lodged in the Logan County Detention Center where he remains on a $125,000 cash bond.