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Indiana State Police Cold Case Unit Arrests Tennessee Man in 1996 Rape Investigation
Indiana State Police Cold Case Detective Matt Busick has arrested a Tennessee man in connection with a 1996 rape reported in Scott County, Indiana.
The investigation began in September 1996 when then-Detective Delmar Gross (now a lieutenant in the investigative division) responded to a report from an adult female victim who stated she was raped after leaving the former Austin Lounge in Austin, Indiana, with two men. The victim provided a name she believed belonged to her assailant. Subsequent DNA analysis has since confirmed that individual was not the perpetrator.
In June 2025, an Indiana State Police forensic scientist informed Lt. Gross that advanced DNA technology and techniques had identified a close genetic relative of the original suspect profile. Acting on this lead, Detective Busick conducted follow-up interviews and identified Sammy Wayne Riley, 53, of La Follette, Tennessee—a former Scott County resident—as the suspect. Working with the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office, Detective Busick collected additional DNA samples for analyzation to support the case and then requested an arrest warrant for Sammy Riley.
On October 29, 2025, a warrant was issued in Scott County for Riley’s arrest on one count of Rape: Committed by Using or Threatening the Use of Force, a Level 1 felony. Upon learning Riley had returned to Indiana for a family matter, Detective Busick coordinated with the Scott County Sheriff’s Department for Riley’s arrest. Sammy Riley was taken into custody without incident on Saturday, November 1, 2025, and is being held at the Scott County Jail.
The investigation involved collaboration with the ISP Cold Case Unit, the Indiana State Police Laboratory in Indianapolis, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, and the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation began in September 1996 when then-Detective Delmar Gross (now a lieutenant in the investigative division) responded to a report from an adult female victim who stated she was raped after leaving the former Austin Lounge in Austin, Indiana, with two men. The victim provided a name she believed belonged to her assailant. Subsequent DNA analysis has since confirmed that individual was not the perpetrator.
In June 2025, an Indiana State Police forensic scientist informed Lt. Gross that advanced DNA technology and techniques had identified a close genetic relative of the original suspect profile. Acting on this lead, Detective Busick conducted follow-up interviews and identified Sammy Wayne Riley, 53, of La Follette, Tennessee—a former Scott County resident—as the suspect. Working with the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office, Detective Busick collected additional DNA samples for analyzation to support the case and then requested an arrest warrant for Sammy Riley.
On October 29, 2025, a warrant was issued in Scott County for Riley’s arrest on one count of Rape: Committed by Using or Threatening the Use of Force, a Level 1 felony. Upon learning Riley had returned to Indiana for a family matter, Detective Busick coordinated with the Scott County Sheriff’s Department for Riley’s arrest. Sammy Riley was taken into custody without incident on Saturday, November 1, 2025, and is being held at the Scott County Jail.
The investigation involved collaboration with the ISP Cold Case Unit, the Indiana State Police Laboratory in Indianapolis, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, and the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office.