Man charged in deadly Perry County ATV crash pleads guilty to federal sex charges

HAZARD, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Vicco man facing charges in a fatal Perry County ATV crash has pleaded guilty to federal sex charges after investigators uncovered he was romantically involved with the crash's 16‑year‑old survivor. He entered the plea in a May 1 hearing. The plea agreement was signed on April 27. Noah Back, 26, was arrested in March and charged with murder following a late February ATV crash that killed 16-year-old Emilynn Clark. Authorities said that Back, another man, and two 16-year-old girls were riding in Back’s ATV when they lost control of the vehicle and ended up over a hill, down an embankment. Sheriff Joe Engle said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, and the teenage driver was charged with driving under the influence. In April, the FBI charged Back with transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity after investigators learned of his reported relationship with the 16-year-old survivor. Perry County deputies were made aware of their relationship after the crash, when community members raised concerns. Special agents obtained a screenshot of a message reportedly sent by the 16-year-old that read, “yeah, he’s 27 and goes for little girls. I had just graduated 8th grade when me and him started dating.” Back admitted to traveling with her to Lexington and Atlanta, Georgia, on multiple occasions. Court documents showed that he'd sometimes film them engaged in sexual intercourse on these trips. Given the survivor's age, FBI Special Agent Matthew Haynes wrote that the act constitutes statutory rape in the state of Georgia, and authorities charged Back with transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.  According to the plea, Back could face more than 10 years in prison. Sentencing was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on September 2.