Man convicted of injecting 17-year-old with methamphetamine in Covington

Man convicted of injecting 17-year-old with methamphetamine in Covington Advertisement Updated: 3:50 PM EST Nov 10, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Matthew Dietz Digital Editor Man convicted of injecting 17-year-old with methamphetamine in Covington Updated: 3:50 PM EST Nov 10, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Matthew Dietz Digital Editor COVINGTON, Ky. — A man accused of injecting a 17-year-old with methamphetamine in Covington was convicted last Friday in Kenton County. Justin Simpson, 41, was convicted of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, causing injury. Simpson was convicted of being a first-degree persistent offender and the jury recommended a life sentence for him. Advertisement The investigation began when Covington officers were called to the Radisson Hotel in February 2025, when a then-17-year-old child reported being raped by Simpson after he shot her up with methamphetamine. Police said messages from Simpson indicated that he was buying alcohol for the victim and “wanted to spend time alone with her,” the Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office said. The victim told police she found meth in the hotel room’s bathroom and after asking Simpson about it, he injected her with it, twice, according to prosecutors. Simpson, who investigators said traveled to Covington from Paducah, Kentucky, was arrested a few days later. Simpson testified in his own defense and was acquitted on rape, sodomy and sexual abuse charges, but convicted of unlawful transaction with a minor, after prosecutors said he admitted to injecting the teenager with meth. “As long Justin Simpson spends the rest of his life in prison where he can’t hurt any more kids, I suppose it doesn’t matter what we call his crimes,” Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders said. Formal sentencing for Simpson is set for Feb. 3, 2027. Make WLWT a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Ole Miss student apologizes after video showing women making racist gestures sparks backlash Video: Drone delivers food to ape stranded during Florida flooding Public health alert issued for three frozen meat products, USDA warns Paul McCartney achieves billionaire status, becomes world’s third-richest musician