SCOTT CO. – A nearly three-decade-old rape case in Scott County has culminated in an arrest, thanks to advanced DNA technology and the persistent efforts of the Indiana State Police (ISP) Cold Case Unit. On Saturday, November 1, 2025, ISP Detective Matt Busick arrested Sammy Wayne Riley, 53, of La Follette, Tennessee, in connection with the 1996 assault.
The initial investigation began in September 1996 after an adult female victim reported being raped after leaving the former Austin Lounge in Austin, Indiana, with two men. The original detective on the case, Delmar Gross (now a lieutenant in the investigative division), pursued leads. Still, subsequent DNA analysis later confirmed that the individual the victim initially suspected was not the perpetrator.
Breakthrough After 29 Years
The case remained unsolved until June 2025, when a significant breakthrough occurred. An ISP forensic scientist informed Lt. Gross that cutting-edge DNA technology and analysis techniques had successfully identified a close genetic relative of the suspect profile developed from the original evidence.
Acting quickly on this crucial lead, Detective Busick conducted follow-up interviews and identified Riley, a former resident of Scott County, as the prime suspect. Working closely with the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office, the detective gathered additional DNA samples for analysis, building a strong case against Riley.
Based on the evidence, an arrest warrant was requested and issued on October 29, 2025, in Scott County for Riley on one count of rape committed by using or threatening the use of force, a Level 1 felony.
Upon learning that Riley had returned to Indiana for a family matter, Detective Busick coordinated with the Scott County Sheriff’s Department. Riley was taken into custody without incident on November 1, 2025, and is currently being held at the Scott County Jail.
The successful closure of this cold case is the result of a collaborative effort involving the ISP Cold Case Unit, the Indiana State Police Laboratory in Indianapolis, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, and the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office.
