Matthew D. Constant, former Owensboro Public Schools Superintendent, allegedly contacted three juveniles to either entice them into sexual activity, receive child pornography, or transfer obscene material in incidents dating as far back as 2019, according to new information detailed in the federal indictment.
Constant, 52, is charged with two counts of online enticement of a minor, three counts of receipt of child pornography, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and two counts of transferring obscene material to a minor.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 14, 2024.
The indictment identifies the minors as John Doe 1, John Doe 2, and John Doe 3. The document details instances of Constant’s alleged crimes between 2019 and 2023.
According to the indictment, Constant, “using a facility and means of interstate commerce, did knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce” two minors, both of whom were under the age of 18 at the time of the respective incidents, “to engage in sexual activity.” The indictment says those incidents occurred between November and December 2019 for John Doe 1, and in May 2021 for John Doe 2.
The indictment alleges that in three instances in December 2019, Constant received child pornography.
The indictment further alleges that Constant transferred obscene material to John Doe 1 in December 2019 and to John Doe 2 in May 2021. Both juveniles were under the age of 16 at the time of their respective incidents, according to the indictment.
The indictment also alleges that in May 2021 (John Doe 2) and April 2023 (John Doe 3), Constant “knowingly persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced” the juveniles “to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct and for the purpose of transmitting a live visual depiction of such conduct, knowing and having reason to know that such visual depiction would be transported and transmitted using any means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce.”
The indictment was sealed until August 19, when Constant appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Brent Brennenstuhl in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.. According to documents obtained by Owensboro Times, Constant was present, in custody, via video/audio conference from the Henderson County Detention Center.
Constant entered a plea of not guilty and waived his right to a detention hearing. The judge ordered Constant remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.
The next court proceeding, a telephone conference, is scheduled for September 9 in front of Chief Judge Greg N. Stivers.
A federal prosecutor filed a motion for a protective order for evidence in the case. The judge granted a protective order for the victims’ interview summaries and electronic communications between the victims and Constant. The order states that no copies or further distribution of the materials shall occur.
Constant faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is being investigated by FBI Owensboro and the Kentucky State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, is prosecuting this case.
If you or your minor dependent(s) have information about Constant, you are asked to contact the FBI at [email protected]. Authorities said responses are voluntary but may be useful in the federal investigation in identifying you or your child as a potential victim. Victims may be eligible for certain services, restitution, and rights under federal and/or state law.
