More than a dozen new sexual abuse charges filed against former Palmetto pastor
PALMETTO, Fla. - A former Palmetto pastor who was arrested for child pornography possession is facing over a dozen new charges, according to authorities.
Jonathan Edward Elwing, 43, the senior pastor at Palm View First Baptist Church in Palmetto, was originally arrested on Friday, June 21, on four counts of possession of child pornography.
On Thursday, Manatee County authorities announced Elwing now faces 14 more charges, including two counts of capital sexual battery, six counts of production of child sexual abuse material, and six counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, which is commonly called child porn.
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Investigators say a forensic search of the former pastor's phone showed images of him sexually battering a child, as well as the production and possession of 12 images of child porn.
"This is a monster. 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," said Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells.
Investigators say a forensic search of the former pastor's phone showed images of him sexually battering a child, as well as the production and possession of 12 images of child porn.
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This is in addition to the four sexually explicit images of children authorities found in his possession last week.
Detectives are still examining his cell phone, and they say they expect to find more illegal material on his computer.
"We are just going to continue to be very methodical on this investigation and download all this information. It takes time," said Sheriff Wells.
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Elwing resigned from his role as senior pastor before he was arrested.
Larry Bianchi, a deacon for the church, said Elwing was hired a few years ago and was one of 250 applicants.
"We started doing background checks and everything you could possibly do to make sure this person was the correct person," said Bianchi.
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Bianchi said the congregation is leaning on each other and their faith.
"He, for all intents and purposes, appeared to be the guy. Three and a half years down the road it’s obvious now he’s not the guy," said Bianchi.
As the investigation continues, Sheriff Wells believes there are additional victims and calls this man a monster in hiding.
"We know that he would abuse anyone at any time, there doesn’t seem to be a limit of what he’s capable of," said Sheriff Wells.
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