The son of a prominent Indiana pastor will spend six years behind bars after pleading guilty to one count of child exploitation and three counts of possession of child sex abuse material.
Jonathan Peternel, son of lead pastor Nathan Peternel, learned his fate during a sentencing hearing in a Madison County courtroom on Feb. 13, the Indy Star reported.
The case not only drew national attention because of Peternel’s father, who is still listed as lead pastor of Life Church, but also because he has been a longtime mentor and close associate of Indiana Lt. Governor Micha Beckwith, according to the Indiana Citizen. As the local publication pointed out, the two co-hosted the podcast “Jesus, Sex & Politics" which often discussed sexual morality and the role faith has in both public life and the government.
Judge Mark Dudley sentenced Peternel to a total of six years and two years suspended to formal probation. The judge ordered that he also register as a sex offender.
Police charged Peternel after receiving a tip through the Hamilton County Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip indicated that child sexual abuse material was uploaded to Snapchat from Peternel’s account.
That prompted authorities to execute a search warrant at Pendleton’s home, where they seized multiple electronic devices. Investigators found more than 200 files of suspected child abuse material.
Investigators also reportedly found documented chat logs that suggested the distribution of explicit material in a Snapchat group.
Before his sentencing, he addressed the courtroom.
“Your honor, first, I want to say that I’m deeply sorry. I hate my sin that I’ve committed,” he said. “I want to apologize to anybody who has fallen victim to my behavior.”
He also apologized to his parents:
“I’m sorry for putting you in this humiliating situation. You’ve been dishonored, your wonderful reputations have been ruined, and your names have been dragged through the mud, all because I cared about myself more than you.”