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, Lockman was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release and pay $9,000 in restitution.
The investigation into Lockman began after the March 2024 arrest of Matthew D. Constant, then Superintendent of Owensboro Public Schools in Kentucky. During that case, FBI agents found WhatsApp conversations between Constant and Lockman discussing their shared sexual interest in children and exchanging illegal images.
Authorities determined that Lockman worked as a youth minister at a church in Jasper, Indiana. In this position, he supervised young boys and took them on individual outings. A search of his church-issued computer and cell phone revealed multiple videos depicting minors under the age of 12 engaged 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 FBI and Evansville Police Department investigated the case. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman imposed the sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Wheatley prosecuted the case.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to address child sexual exploitation by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to apprehend offenders and help victims. More information about resources for victims can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood
