Aaron Paul Lockman, a 24-year-old former youth minister from Corydon, Indiana, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possessing sexually explicit material involving minors. After pleading guilty to nine counts related to child exploitation, Lockman will also serve five years of supervised release and pay $9,000 in restitution.
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 the investigation into Constant’s activities, authorities discovered WhatsApp conversations between Constant and Lockman. The messages revealed that both men discussed their shared sexual interest in children and exchanged illegal images of child sexual abuse.
Further inquiries showed that Lockman was working as a youth minister at a church in Jasper, Indiana. In this role, he supervised young boys and often took them on individual outings. Law enforcement officers searched Lockman’s church-issued computer and cell phone and found multiple videos depicting minors under the age of 12 involved in 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 case was investigated by the FBI and Evansville Police Department. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman imposed the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Wheatley for prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.
Victims or those seeking resources regarding child exploitation can find more information at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood
