PALMETTO (FL)
ABC 7 [Sarasota, FL]
June 21, 2024
By ABC7 Staff
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children detectives arrested a Palmetto pastor Friday afternoon for possession of child pornography.
On Thursday, detectives received information that Jonathan Edward Elwing, senior pastor of Palm View Baptist Church, used cryptocurrency to make an online purchase of child sexual abuse material.
A search warrant was executed Friday at the church and Elwing’s home. Detectives found four sexually explicit images of children on his cell phone. Probable cause was developed to charge Elwing with four counts of possession of child pornography.
He was taken into custody and booked at the Manatee County Jail. Elwing resigned from his position as pastor of the church before being arrested.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about potential crimes involving Elwing is asked to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011, or to remain anonymous and to be eligible for a cash reward, contact Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.ManateeCrimeStoppers.com.