Former Hopkinsville High School Band Director Seth Peveler was formally sentenced to seven years in prison Friday afternoon in Christian Circuit Court.
It was a full court room during the sentencing, which had been set after Peveler recently pled guilty to four counts of third-degree rape, four counts of third-degree sodomy and one count of unlawful transaction with a minor, which came with a recommended sentence of seven years in total. Defense attorney Sands Chewning made an argument not necessarily for probation, but that Peveler be allowed to serve an ‘alternative sentence’ on an ankle monitor for that time.
A victim in the case gave an impact statement, where she detailed the events and abuse, endured at Peveler’s home, the band room and numerous other places, saying her memories of music, band and school are forever altered. She says she still fights with the trauma to this day and it will stick with her forever, as he was someone who both she and her family trusted completely and he destroyed that.
She said he should never be allowed to victimize and terrorize another student or person, and she is ready to move on with her life after justice is served.
Peveler himself told the court he was sorry for his actions.
Ultimately, Special Judge James Jameson ruled that Peveler was ineligible for probation or an ‘alternative sentence’, saying that even if he was eligible, he would still deny it.
Along with his seven-year sentence, Peveler also must register as a sex-offender for life—he was taken into custody in the courtroom. Judge Jameson also ruled that Peveler will not receive credit for time served on ankle monitor, but Chewning could make arguments for that within the next ten days.
Hannah Peveler, former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney and Seth Peveler’s then wife, is facing charges of tampering with a witness in relation to the case.