'Monster' Pastor, Jonathan Elwing, WhoTook Photos of Himself Sexually Assaulting a 2-year-old Arrested

Jonathan Elwing was arrested last week on charges of possessing child pornography. 

Now, investigators say he faces even more severe accusations, including photographing himself sexually assaulting a toddler.

Last week, Jonathan Elwing, a Baptist preacher, resigned in disgrace following his arrest for possessing four images of child pornography on his phone. 

This week, the situation has worsened dramatically.

Elwing, who had served as a preacher for over five years in an evangelical Florida congregation, now faces 14 additional criminal counts. 

These include two capital charges of sexual battery on a child and six charges of producing child pornography. 

The most horrifying allegations against Elwing, a 43-year-old father of four, are based on photographs where he is seen sexually assaulting a toddler.

“This is a monster,” Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells told reporters on Thursday. 

“He went to great lengths to hide his true identity and used whatever resources he could to feed his deviant behavior.” 

Elwing is currently held without bail at the Manatee County Jail. He has not entered a plea, and there is no attorney of record.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Elwing has been the senior pastor of Palm View First Baptist Church in Manatee County since 2019. 

He has been involved with various Florida congregations since 2003. 

The charges against him have shocked church members and officials. 

“It is a bad, bad, bad situation my preacher has gotten himself into, but we are no longer associated with him,” deacon Larry Bianchi told WFLA-TV after Elwing’s arrest. 

The church has not publicly commented on the additional charges.

In Florida, a defendant found guilty of sexually assaulting a child must be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

According to the Sheriff's Department, more charges are expected as detectives continue to examine Elwing’s cell phone and computer.

Sheriff Wells said the investigation began with a tip from a cryptocurrency firm. 

Elwing had allegedly used cryptocurrency to buy child pornography on the dark web. 

Deputies obtained a search warrant and found four child porn images on his phone. 

Further investigation uncovered additional photos showing a toddler with Elwing on a blue blanket.

At Elwing's home, investigators seized a shirt identical to the one in the photos and a blue blanket from the master bedroom. 

Lt. Mark Moore reported that about 10 covert cameras were found, two at Elwing’s home and the rest in his pastor's office. 

There is concern that he may have hidden cameras inside the church, especially since the school at the church is not currently in session.

A bond hearing for Elwing is scheduled for Wednesday, according to court records.

 

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