Delaware man charged with statutory rape in Sparta

Julian Armand Pyle

On the afternoon of Aug. 23, White County deputies responded to a call about a couple of juveniles at the Crossville Highway Dollar General store, in the eastern portion of White County.

Upon arriving on the scene, Deputy Light discovered two persons, an adult male and a juvenile female, in a maroon jeep with a Delaware license plate. According to the arrest warrant, the male subject initially identified himself as Julian Pyle and listed his date of birth as 08/23/2003; however, when Pyle’s information was run through dispatch there was no person with matching information on file in any of the 50 United States.

When asked for his ID, Pyle reportedly stated that it was in the vehicle and, while walking with Light to retrieve it, admitted he had initially given an incorrect date of birth. Pyle reportedly advised the White County deputy that his correct date of birth was Aug. 26, 2000.

Light then asked Pyle about the vehicle he was driving since a database search of the plate number revealed it was repored stolen out of Delaware. Pyle reportedly stated he was unaware as he had just purchased the vehicle with cash.

The juvenile female who was traveling with Pyle was identified and found to be 15 years old. She reportedly disclosed to deputies that she and Pyle were in a “sexual relationship.” At that time, the juvenile was transported to White County Justice Center for an interview and Pyle was placed under arrest.

While being taken into custody, Pyle was asked if he had anything illegal in his backpack, and he reportedly advised deputies there was marijuana in the backpack.

Pyle consented to a search of the backpack which revealed drug paraphernalia, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, and a prescription bottle, with another individual’s name, containing oxycodone tablets. Pyle then reportedly advised deputies he had taken the oxycodone tablets for which he did not have a prescription in his name and was planning to sell them.

Once at White County Justice Center, Pyle, who had been read his Miranda Rights but agreed to talk without an attorney, was interviewed and reportedly admitted to multiple sexual acts with the minor with whom he had been traveling. He also admitted to having pornographic pictures of the juvenile on his phone. Consent was reportedly given, and a search of Pyle’s phone revealed more than 25 photographs of pornographic nature of the minor in question.

Pyle also reportedly admitted to purchasing and providing marijuana to the juvenile female on more than one occasion.

Pyle was arrested on the following counts: Statutory Rape x5; Sexual Exploitation of a Minor; Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor x2; Simple Possession Sch VI (marijuana), Felony Possession of Schedule II Drugs (oxycodone), Possession without Prescription; Criminal Impersonation; Theft Under $1000; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.