EVANSVILLE — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.

 

EVANSVILLE- Aaron Paul Lockman, 24, of Corydon, Indiana, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to nine counts of possessing sexually explicit material involving minors. He was also ordered to pay $9,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, the investigation began on March 11, 2024, when FBI agents arrested Matthew D. Constant, then‑Superintendent of Owensboro Public Schools in Kentucky, for attempting to solicit sexual acts from minors. During that investigation, agents uncovered WhatsApp conversations between Constant and Lockman in which the two discussed their shared sexual interest in children and exchanged illegal images of child sexual abuse.

Further investigation revealed that Lockman was employed as a youth minister at a church in Jasper, Indiana. In that role, he was entrusted with supervising young boys and frequently took them on one‑on‑one outings, including trips to local restaurants. Agents later searched Lockman’s church‑issued computer and cell phone, where they found multiple videos depicting minors under the age of 12, including material involving abusive conduct.

“This sick individual placed himself in daily proximity to children and exploited his position as a minister to cultivate special relationships with vulnerable boys,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This office will continue to pursue anyone who preys on children, no matter their title, position, or community standing. Thanks to the swift work of our federal partners, he can no longer endanger the children he targeted and manipulated.”

“This sentence sends a clear message that anyone who exploits children - especially those who abuse positions of trust within their communities - will be held fully accountable,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “Protecting children from predators is one of the FBI’s highest priorities. We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify offenders, support victims, and ensure justice is served.”

The FBI and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman.

U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Wheatley, who prosecuted this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood

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