PALMETTO, Fla. — The Manatee County pastor arrested for child pornography last week is now facing more serious charges as images showed him sexually battering a child, authorities said.
A new forensic search conducted on 43-year-old Jonathan Elwing's phone showed him sexually battering a child, according to a Manatee County Sheriff's Office news release. It also revealed the production and possession of 12 images of child porn, in addition to the four found last week.
Elwing is charged with two counts of capital sexual battery, six counts of the production of child sexual abuse material, or child porn, and six counts of possession of child porn.
The pastor was arrested on June 21 for using cryptocurrency to purchase child pornography, the sheriff's office said at the time. Detectives reportedly found four sexually explicit pictures of children on his phone after a search warrant was executed at Elwing's church and home.
He was booked at the Manatee County Jail. Elwing resigned from his position as senior pastor of the Palm View First Baptist Church in Palmetto after his arrest.
10 Tampa Bay has reached out to the church for comment.
"Detectives continue to examine Elwing’s cell phone and expect to find more illegal material on his computer. Additional charges are forthcoming," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
Anyone with information about potential crimes involving Elwing is asked to contact the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at 941-747-3011. Those who wish to remain anonymous could be eligible for a cash reward for tips submitted to Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477 (TIPS) or online.