Palmetto pastor arrested for sexual assault and child pornography

PALMETTO, Fla. – A Manatee County pastor arrested last week on child pornography charges now faces more serious charges because of images showing him sexually abusing a child, authorities said.

A new forensic search of 43-year-old Jonathan Elwing’s phone revealed he was sexually abusing a child, according to a press release from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to the four images found last week, the production and possession of 12 additional images containing child pornography were also uncovered.

Elwing is charged with two counts of sexual assault, six counts of production of child sexual abuse material or child pornography, and six counts of possession of child pornography.

The pastor was arrested on June 21 for using cryptocurrency to purchase child pornography, the sheriff’s office said at the time. Detectives reportedly found four sexually explicit images of children on his phone after executing a search warrant on Elwing’s church and home.

He was taken to the Manatee County Jail. Elwing resigned from his position as pastor of Palm View First Baptist Church in Palmetto following his arrest.

10 Tampa Bay has reached out to the church for comment.

“Investigators continue to examine Elwing’s cell phone and expect to find additional illegal material on his computer. Additional charges are pending,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Anyone with information about possible crimes involving Elwing is asked to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011. Those who wish to remain anonymous may be eligible for a cash reward for information sent to Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477 (TIPS) or online.