TAMPA, Fla. – A former Florida pastor will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found him guilty earlier this week of 12 sexual abuse-related charges.
Jonathan Edward Elwing, 45, was pastor of Palm View Baptist Church in Palmetto, Fla., but resigned before he was arrested in June 2024 for possession of child pornography.
Not long after, additional charges were added, including sexual battery of a child.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office initially investigated Elwing after getting a tip that cryptocurrency had been used to purchase child sexual abuse material.
The Bradenton Herald reported that investigators found a video on Elwing’s phone of him sexually abusing a 2-year-old.
“I don’t have a lot to say preceding my sentence other than these acts were evil,” said Circuit Judge D. Ryan Felix. “… The appropriate sentences will be life in prison. You don’t belong anywhere in a civilized society.”
Digital evidence in the case was “overwhelming” in the case, the judge said. The prosecutor said it certainly proved Elwing’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Elwing received three consecutive life sentences.
If you are/have been a victim of sexual abuse or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please reach out for help at sbcabuseprevention.com/helpline or call 833-611-HELP.
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