Wolves Among the Sheep > Florida Pastor called 'monster' by Sheriff

 

Jailed Florida pastor faces additional

child sex abuse charges

By Josh Rojas Manatee County

UPDATED 7:36 PM ET Jun. 27, 2024 PUBLISHED 7:08 PM ET Jun. 27, 2024

PALMETTO, Fla. — The Rev. Jonathan Elwing, 43, who is senior pastor at the Palm View Baptist Church in Palmetto, was charged Thursday with 14 felony counts related to child pornography and sexual assault, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said.

Palm View is an SBC affiliate.

He was already facing four counts of possession of child pornography after being arrested on June 21.

“We have found images of Elwing sexually offending a child,” Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells alleged. “At this point, we have two counts of capital sexual battery charges, six counts of production of child sex abuse material and six counts of possession of child sex abuse material.”

Elwing was first arrested and charged with four counts of possession of child pornography on June 21. Lt. Mark Moore said they found Elwing in possession of about 10 covert cameras. Moore said two of the cameras were found at Elwing’s home and the rest were on the desk in his church office.

“There’s a school that’s at the church — the school is not in session right now,” Moore said. “There’s some concern that he may have been hiding those cameras inside the church.”

Wells said investigators received a tip off from a cryptocurrency company that said Elwing had allegedly purchased child porn on the dark web. Deputies were able to execute a search warrant on Elwing’s home the next day. 

“I can’t stress this enough: This is a monster,” Wells said. “This is a man who went to great lengths to hide his true identity. To use whatever resources he could to feed this deviant behavior that he has.”

Spectrum Bay News 9 attempted to contact a member of the leadership at Palm View Baptist Church, but did not immediately get a response.

Wells said he feels bad for the people associated with Elwing who have been caught up in his alleged misdeeds.

“I really feel bad for his family — I feel bad for the congregation at Palm View Baptist Church,” Wells said. “He went into that church professing to be a man of God, but he’s really nothing more than a liar and sexual predator.” 

Wells said his forensic team is still combing through the evidence and he expects more charges to be filed. The sheriff said he’s also worried there are more victims who have not yet been identified.

“If anyone has had close contact with this monster, if anyone knows if their kids have been around him, I’m just requesting that they talk to their children,” Wells said.

Elwing was being held without bond at the Manatee County Jail.

Anyone with information about Elwing or potential victims in the case 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.