Senior Pastor of Palm View Baptist Church Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

PALMETTO, Fla. (WWSB) – Investigators with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit arrested a Palmetto pastor Friday afternoon for possession of child pornography.

On Thursday, investigators received information that Jonathan Edward Elwing, pastor of Palm View Baptist Church, had used cryptocurrency to purchase child sexual abuse material online.

On Friday, a search warrant was executed for the church and Elwing’s home. Investigators found four sexually explicit images of children on his cell phone. There was sufficient suspicion to charge Elwing with four counts of possession of child pornography.

He was taken into custody and booked into the Manatee County Jail. Elwing resigned from his position as pastor of the church before he was arrested.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding possible crimes involving Elwing is asked to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011. To remain anonymous and receive a cash reward, contact Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.ManateeCrimeStoppers.com.

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