Matthew D. Constant, former Owensboro Public Schools superintendent, was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in prison for multiple federal charges related to the sexual exploitation of children.
U.S. District Court Judge Greg N. Stivers handed down the sentence at the federal courthouse in Owensboro, following arguments from both the prosecution and defense, as well as a statement from Constant himself.
Constant, 53, entered the courtroom at approximately 11:36 a.m. wearing a yellow jail-issued jumpsuit and orange sneakers. At 11:43 a.m., Stivers asked whether either side had objections to the pre-sentencing report. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus and defense attorney Bryce Caldwell both said they had no objections, though Caldwell noted he had considered one but ultimately withdrew it.
Caldwell requested a sentence of 20 years, acknowledging the prosecution’s recommendation of 30 years but arguing that 20 would still be a significant punishment.
“He has an outstanding education, a position of leadership,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell acknowledged that even those who are typically lenient would struggle to issue less than 20 years in this case. He argued that a 20-year sentence would still demonstrate that the U.S. Attorney’s Office takes the matter seriously and that it would adequately protect the public, especially since Constant would be under lifetime supervision after his release.
Caldwell said Constant still has support from some members of the community, which he admitted is “frankly, kind of surprising due to the charges.”
Caldwell added, “I’m not saying he is beyond repair.” He also noted that Constant had never avoided responsibility, stating, “At the end of the day, he wants to take responsibility.”
“Frankly, I don’t think he likes this about him. I don’t think there’s a sentence that will fix that,” Caldwell said. Stivers asked if Caldwell was referring to shame, and Caldwell said he was.
When the prosecution addressed the court, Dycus reiterated the government’s request for a 30-year sentence, calling it “essentially life” due to his age. She emphasized the seriousness of the offense, especially given Constant’s leadership role in education. While he is not alleged to have ever directed his conduct at a student within Owensboro Public Schools, prosecutors said he admitted to a sexual relationship with a former student in another school district that began after the individual turned 18.
The prosecution said the length of time over which the crimes occurred added to the severity, as did Constant’s actions during the investigation — specifically telling victims to “clean up” their social media and stating that he would “clean up” his phone.
While acknowledging the support Constant continues to receive from others, the prosecution said, “He was able to get away with (his actions) for a very long time.”
Dycus said the conduct escalated over the years and that the 30-year sentence would deliver a message that such conduct is treated with the utmost seriousness.
Dycus said the decision not to pursue a life sentence was based in part on the fact that Constant had not physically contacted his victims and had not distributed images — though he had received and solicited them.
Constant then addressed the court, reading a prepared statement.
“I have waited two long years to speak and publicly take accountability,” he said. “I have made some grave mistakes.”
Constant said he wishes he could take back his actions and that he brought pain to three victims that he is “eternally sorry for.” He said he prays for healing for those he harmed.
“I’ve always tried to be an advocate for people,” Constant said, adding that his choices regarding the victims were “reckless behavior.”
“At 53, it is past time for me to learn healthy ways to deal with my own issues,” he said, referencing childhood trauma. He added that he is “determined to find a new purpose in this next chapter of life,” and expressed hope to help others, but not before he betters himself.
Speaking of his family, church, and community, Constant said, “I know how I have brought shame and can only hope to get better.”
Constant became slightly teary and briefly choked up during parts of his statement.
Before delivering the sentence, Stivers explained the rationale using federal sentencing guidelines. Constant’s offense level was 43 (the highest possible), while his criminal history category was 1 (the lowest possible).
The judge said the recommended sentence under statute was life in prison but noted that the prosecution’s 30-year recommendation was within reason. He described Constant as a “pillar of this community” who held a position of trust and was respected as a leader in the school system.
“There was some sort of childhood trauma, something in Mr. Constant that got broken when he was a child,” the judge said, referencing the pre-sentencing report but noting that the trauma was not detailed.
As Constant wiped away tears, the judge continued: “There is nothing more despicable, nothing more repugnant than harming a child.”
He added that Constant’s case was more egregious because of his understanding of how abuse harms children.
“This was not a mistake,” the judge said, referring to Constant’s use of that term. “It was intentional abuse that went on for three to four years.
Stivers added that it’s unclear if it was longer or if there were more victims, noting that one victim claimed there were others not known to investigators.
Stivers acknowledged that Constant accepted responsibility but also pointed out that he encouraged victims to destroy communications.
“Life would certainly be justified,” he said. “But 360 months is not greater than necessary. I think there is a good chance he will not get out.”
The judge emphasized that he stopped short of a life sentence only because there was no physical contact with the victims.
The sentence includes multiple counts, with the terms to run concurrently for a total of 360 months. If Constant is ever released, he will be under supervised release for the rest of his life and must undergo sex offender treatment and register as a sex offender.
Constant first appeared in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on February 11, 2025, where he withdrew his previous not guilty plea and entered a guilty plea to all nine counts in his indictment, according to court records.
A federal grand jury in Bowling Green indicted Constant on August 14, 2024, on 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. Constant was arrested and ordered detained following his initial court appearance on August 19, 2024.
The indictment details criminal conduct spanning 2019-2023 and involving three separate minor victims (referred to as John Doe 1, 2, and 3). According to court documents, details of those charges include:
- Online enticement of a minor (counts 1 and 6) – Alleged incidents occurred in 2019 and 2021, involving two separate minors, when Constant is accused of using the internet to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce minors into engaging in sexual activity.
- Receipt of child pornography (counts 2, 3, and 4) – Alleged incidents occurred in December 2019, when Constant is accused of receiving child pornography via the internet.
- Transfer of obscene material to a minor (counts 5 and 8) – Alleged incidents occurred between December 2019 and May 2021, when Constant is accused of transferring obscene material to minors who he knew were under the age of 16.
- Sexual exploitation of a minor (counts 7 and 9) – Alleged incidents occurred in 2021 and 2023, when Constant is accused of using the internet to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce two separate minors into engaging in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose and transmitting visual depictions of the acts.
Constant did not enter a plea agreement, documents show. U.S. District Court Judge Greg N. Stivers accepted Constant’s guilty plea after determining it was made knowingly and voluntarily with legal counsel. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus prosecuted the case.
Constant was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Greg N. Stivers at the U.S. Courthouse in Owensboro.
Constant was initially arrested on July 27, 2023, by Kentucky State Police and charged with two Class D felonies: procuring or promoting the use of a minor (12 years old or older), and tampering with physical evidence. A previous release from KSP said the investigation had spanned into other states and that additional charges were likely.
KSP Public Affairs Officer Corey King previously said they began an initial investigation into Constant in May 2023 based on an allegation by a third party. King said the complainant alleged that Constant was involved in a relationship with an underage minor.
Speaking on July 28, 2023, King said the other party involved in the alleged relationship had not been very cooperative so trying to establish that person’s age “has been somewhat difficult,” adding “it appears that the relationship was with an 18-year-old, but we have not established when the relationship began.” However, King said during the course of that investigation other things had “come to light.”
According to the citation made available July 28, Constant “admitted to tampering with physical evidence during an interview, and attempted to procure and solicit sexual acts from minors, having full knowledge he was speaking with juvenile children.” It said Constant “used multiple accounts from electronic devices to execute these acts.”
King previously said it appeared Constant “had master cleared his mobile devices, essentially erasing everything. So we’re working to restore everything we can, which is time-consuming. Pair that with social media apps, the various platforms, to get records they have, it just takes time.”
King said that’s why it took two months before an arrest was made.
Then-OPS Board of Education Chair Dr. Jeremy Luckett and then-Vice Chair Leigh Rhoads Doyal were made aware of a KSP investigation into Constant on May 22, 2023, but they did not know many details, according to OPS Public Information Officer Jared Revlett.
On May 25, 2023, KSP informed the board the investigation had ramped up. The board suspended Constant with pay that day, though they still didn’t know the full nature of the investigation and whether they would ultimately be criminal charges.
On June 22, the OPS board voted unanimously to suspend Constant without pay and begin the proceedings to terminate his contract “for conduct unbecoming of a superintendent.” While criminal charges had still not been filed at that time, the board said they had been informed by police that Constant “did engage in a relationship with an adult-aged student enrolled in another school district.”
Revlett said the board later was made aware that KSP was pursuing criminal charges.
While the board began the termination process, Constant actually retired and terminated his employment a week later.
Constant was arraigned in District Court on August 2, 2023. The initial bond for Constant was set at $35,000 full cash, and Daniel Boling — who is the Hancock County District Court Judge — was assigned as a Special Judge to the case. On August 9, Boling reduced the bond to a partially secured $35,000 bond, meaning Constant only had to pay $3,500 to be released from jail.
Constant posted bond on August 9, 2023, but was not released until August 16 due to issues with the ankle monitor company, officials previously said. Stipulations of his release included wearing an ankle monitor (which had to be placed before leaving DCDC); remaining at a designated residence except for a medical emergency or court orders; no contact with minors; and no use of any electronics, including a computer or a cell phone.
In October 2023, Constant was indicted by a Daviess County Grand Jury on one count of the Class D felony of tampering with physical evidence.
Due to state law, an open investigation, and the nature of closed grand jury proceedings, then- Commonwealth’s Attorney Bruce Kuegel could not comment on Constant’s other initial charge of procuring or promoting the use of a minor (12 years old or older). Kuegel could not confirm or deny whether that charge was even presented to the grand jury to give them an opportunity to return an indictment. Kuegel similarly said he could comment on any aspect of the case beyond the facts about charges and court proceedings.
Court records show that Constant is scheduled to appear by video teleconference for a status hearing on May 20 regarding the tampering charge.
