Ex-Florida Keys Pastor Faces Slew of Disturbing Child Abuse Charges

"This is a monster," a local sheriff said.

July 18, 2024

A former Florida Keys pastor was indicted for child sexual battery on July 10. Screenshot via ABC Action News/YouTube

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A former Florida Keys pastor is facing charges of child sexual abuse and child pornography after police discovered depraved videos of his crimes, according to prosecutors.

Jonathan Elwing — who was pastor at Islamorada's First Baptist Church for seven years before he joined Palm View First Baptist Church in Manatee County — was arrested on June 20 on more than a dozen capital felony charges including two counts of sexual battery, six counts of production of child sexual abuse material, and six counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.

On July 10, he was indicted by a grand jury on the charge of sexually battery of a child.

"This is a monster," Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said of Elwing said during a press conference.

The investigation began when detectives received a tip that Elwing had allegedly used cryptocurrency money to buy child porn on the dark web. Deputies obtained a search warrant, which led to the discovery of images on the 43-year-old's cell phone of him sexually battering a toddler, according to court documents.

While Elwing told police that he sometimes bought adult pornography, and claimed to have deleted any child sexual abuse material that "may get mixed in," investigators allege that a forensic search of his phone revealed several child porn images.

Prosecutors say police found that he had sexually abused a 2-year-old infant and recorded it. He had been using private photo vault app to hide more than a dozen photos of him sexually abusing the child, prosecutors allege.

In Florida, a person found guilty of sexually assaulting a child faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to Elwing's LinkedIn, he was a pastor at the First Baptist Church of Islamorada from December 2012 to November 2019 before becoming a pastor at Palm View First Baptist Church.

He reportedly resigned from his recent role prior to his June arrest.

Detectives have said they believe there could be more victims out there. They've asked anyone with information on Elwing to call the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011.

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Alex DeLuca is a Miami New Times staff writer who focuses on news, crime, and public safety, education, and cannabis. Prior to joining New Times in June 2020, Alex worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel and freelanced for The Appeal. She holds a bachelor's degree from the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

Contact: Alex DeLuca

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