A Michigan man who made a living as an Elvis impersonator is now singing the blues behind bars, charged with child sex crimes involving a teenage runaway. Matthew James Chantelois, 45, of Dearborn Heights, known onstage as "Matt King," was caught at a Pennsylvania motel with the unclothed girl, according to law enforcement.
Chantelois, whose Elvis shtick has been a 30-year gig is now facing federal charges that could see him put away for as much as 60 years. The charges include sexual exploitation of a minor, and the possession and transportation of material showing the sexual exploitation of minors, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. The allegations came to light following a January 24 arrest at a Summit Township, motel, where police stumbled upon the suspect and a 16-year-old New York girl in a compromised situation.
Details emerged about the prior communication between Chantelois and the teenager, with the girl recounting to police that she met him through social media and that they had exchanged nude pictures after he had provided her with vodka. These revelations were included in a report by ClickOnDetroit.
Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative tackling child exploitation, supported the federal investigation that led to Chantelois's indictment. The FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, New York State Police, and the Dearborn Heights Police Department have been credited for their collaborative efforts. The indictment itself was unveiled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Pennsylvania, shedding light on alleged crimes that took place from October 2023 to January 2024, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice. While an indictment is not a conviction, Chantelois will remain innocent in the eyes of the law until proven otherwise.
If convicted, Chantelois, who once donned the King of Rock's sequined jumpsuits and pompadour, could face a stringent sentence ranging from 15 to 60 years and fines up to $750,000. The severity of his punishment would hinge on the gravity of the offenses and any previous offenses on his record.
