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Update in case of megachurch pastor's son who was discovered with child sex abuse materials among the 'worst ever seen' by officers
A disturbing case has unfolded involving Jonathan Peternel, the 24-year-old son of a prominent megachurch pastor, who has reportedly pleaded guilty to several charges related to child exploitation.
Peternel, from Pendleton, Indiana, was arrested in October after an investigation revealed evidence of his involvement in the possession and distribution of child sex abuse materials. His charges include possession of child sex abuse material and child exploitation.
Peternel’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly given his connection to Life Church, an Assemblies of God-affiliated church with multiple campuses in Central Indiana.
His father, Nathan Peternel, serves as the church’s lead pastor. Despite his prominent family ties, Jonathan Peternel faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison after agreeing to a plea deal. Sentencing is scheduled for February 13, 2026.
Investigative findings
The investigation into Jonathan Peternel was triggered by a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which flagged several files of suspected child abuse material on Snapchat. This led to a deeper investigation by the Hamilton County Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Upon obtaining a search warrant for Peternel’s Snapchat account, investigators uncovered additional child exploitation materials and evidence suggesting that Peternel was sharing these files with others.
Peternel allegedly belonged to a Snapchat group called “Diddy Disciples,” where he exchanged files with another user. Further searches of his home revealed over 200 files of child sex abuse material, including both real and AI-generated images.
The material uncovered was described by law enforcement officials as among the "worst ever seen" in their careers, adding to the severity of the case.
Authorities also discovered Peternel had been active in disseminating the illicit content, as evidenced by chat logs between him and another user. These logs, along with the files, strongly indicated that he was distributing explicit material through various online channels.
The investigation revealed that Peternel's activities were part of a larger network of online child exploitation, highlighting the growing concerns regarding the dark web and social media platforms being used for such illegal activities.
Legal proceedings and plea agreement
During questioning, Peternel reportedly requested to speak with an attorney after learning that the investigation involved serious child exploitation charges. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Peternel faces the possibility of a maximum four-year prison sentence, which will be determined at his sentencing hearing next month.
The case has drawn significant attention, as it involves not only a member of the local clergy’s family but also highlights the critical role of digital platforms in the fight against child exploitation.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other agencies continue to advocate for stronger measures to prevent such crimes and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.