PALMETTO, Fla. — A Palmetto pastor was arrested Friday for using cryptocurrency to purchase child pornography, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Detectives from the Internet Crimes Against Children section said they received information on Thursday that 43-year-old Jonathan Elwing, the senior pastor at Palm View Baptist Church, made the illegal purchase.
Those detectives executed a search warrant on Friday at the church and Elwing's home. They reportedly found four sexually explicit images of children on his cell phone.
Elwing was arrested and charged with four counts of possession of child pornography.
He was booked into the Manatee County Jail after resigning from his position as pastor.
The investigation is ongoing. 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.
