INDIANA — A former youth minister from Corydon, Indiana, has been sentenced to nearly a decade in federal prison following an investigation that linked him to a high-profile exploitation case involving a Kentucky school official.
Aaron Lockman, 24, was handed a 9-year prison sentence by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Lockman pleaded guilty to nine counts of possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Upon his release, he will face five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $9,000 in restitution. No jail photo was available of Lockman.
The case against Lockman began to unfold on March 11, 2024, following the arrest of Matthew Constant, the former superintendent of Owensboro Public Schools in Kentucky. Constant was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison after FBI agents uncovered his attempts to solicit minors.
During the forensic analysis of Constant’s devices, investigators discovered a series of encrypted WhatsApp conversations between Constant and Lockman. The two men were reportedly using the platform to disseminate and share explicit images of minors.
At the time of the investigation, Lockman was serving as a youth minister at a church in Jasper, Indiana. Authorities expressed deep concern over the level of access Lockman had to local children.
- Supervision: In his ministerial role, Lockman was entrusted with supervising young boys.
- One-on-One Contact: The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that Lockman frequently took children on one-on-one outings, including trips to local restaurants.
- Seized Evidence: Upon searching a church-provided computer and Lockman’s personal phone, investigators found files depicting the sexual abuse of victims under the age of 12.
United States Attorney Tom Wheeler condemned Lockman’s actions, highlighting the calculated nature of the crimes.
“This sick individual placed himself in daily proximity to children and exploited his position as a minister to cultivate special relationships with vulnerable boys,” Wheeler said. “This office will continue to pursue anyone who preys on children, no matter their title, position, or community standing.”
The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the FBI and the Evansville Police Department. Officials emphasized that the swift intervention of federal partners prevented Lockman from further manipulating or endangering the children in his care.
