Constant federally indicted on 9 counts of child sexual exploitation

A federal grand jury sitting in Bowling Green has returned a nine-count indictment charging Matthew Constant with numerous crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Authorities also said the FBI Louisville Field Office is trying to identify potential victims.

According to the indictment, Constant, 52, a former superintendent of Owensboro Public Schools, was charged with two counts of online enticement of a minor, three counts of receiving child pornography, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of transmitting obscene material to a minor.

Constant’s attorney declined to comment on the charges.

The indictment was filed on August 14 and details were released on August 20 by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police.

According to a press release from Bennett’s office, Constant made his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on August 19. The court ordered Constant to be held pending trial.

According to the press release, if convicted, Constant faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district judge will determine a sentence after considering sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system.

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 helpful in the federal investigation to identify you or your child as a potential victim. Victims may be eligible for certain services, restitution and rights under federal and/or state laws.

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.

According to the press release, the case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Abuse and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

For our previous coverage of Constant in connection with this case, click here.