Warning: This deals with sensitive and disturbing information.
The son of a prominent Indiana pastor has been arrested and charged with multiple child sex crimes, including possessing child pornography. He was also found to be in possession of dozens of intimate videos of his own parents having sex.
Jonathan Peternel is the son of Nathan Peternel, lead pastor at Life Church in Pendleton, IN. He was arrested after a cyber tip came in that Peternel was sharing videos on Snapchat. According to WTHR13:
“Detectives got a search warrant for Jonathan Wesley Peternel’s Snapchat account, where detectives say more child sex abuse material was found, along with evidence that Peternel was sharing videos with others.
A search warrant on Peternel’s home led detectives to find more than 200 files of child sex abuse material, some of which included sadomasochistic child abuse, children who appeared to be drugged or intoxicated while being abused, violent child molestation and AI-generated photos of nude pregnant toddlers.”
Investigators also found more than 50 videos on Peternel’s phone of his parents nude or engaged in sex acts. He has been charged with one count of child exploitation (Level 4 felony), two counts of possession of child sex abuse material (Level 5 felonies), and one count of possession of child sex abuse material (Level 6 felony).
If convicted on all charges, he could face more than 20 years in prison.
4 responses to “Son of Prominent Pastor Charged With Multiple Sex Crimes, Including Filming His Own Parents”
Why would this pastor continue working in full-time ministry when his own son has gone off the rails? And if the reason is that the pastor didn’t know, that is even worse. Talk about ignoring your own family while ministering to the needs of others! This is a tragedy on several levels. Thanks to Protestia for calling out evil wherever it is found. The authorities need to ensure this monster receives a life sentence with no possiblity of parole. Shame on his parents!
Agreed Oscar. He should leave the ministry. It is disqualifying 1 Tim. 3:4-5.
How old is this guy? Is he an adult or teen?
Filming his own parents? Just the thought of my parents nekkid is enough to drive me into therapy…