Joe.My.God. LGBT News
Sarasota’s ABC affiliate reports:
The senior pastor of Palm View Baptist Church, Jonathan Edward Elwing, was arrested on June 21 for possession of child pornography. The 18 felony counts against Elwing stem from explicit photos of minors that detectives found on his phone.
On June 20, detectives received information that Elwing used cryptocurrency to make an online purchase of child sexual abuse material. On June 27, as the investigation continued, 14 additional felony charges were filed against Elwing: two counts of Capital Sexual Battery, six counts of Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material, and six counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.
A forensic search of Elwing’s cell phone revealed images of him sexually battering a child along with the production and possession of 12 images of child pornography.
The Christian Post reports:
“I can’t stress this enough, this is a monster,” Sheriff Rick Wells said during a press conference. “He went into that church professing to be a man of God. But really, he is nothing more than a liar and a sexual predator.”
“He would abuse anyone at anytime,” Wells added. “There doesn’t seem to be a limit to what he is capable of.” Police say one of the photos shows Elwing abusing a 2-year-old, according to WWSB. Authorities also say they found eight to 10 hidden cameras in his home and his church office.
Elwing resigned from his position as senior pastor at Palm View Baptist Church before his arrest. Palm View Baptist Church acknowledged Elwing’s arrest on social media, saying it would “make a statement in due time.”
NEW CHARGES: The Manatee County pastor arrested for child pornography last week is now facing more serious charges as images showed him sexually battering a child, authorities said. https://t.co/m4EGCh1rQj
— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) June 27, 2024