Pastor brags to Indiana church filled with families about his use of sex toys

Forensic analysis uncovered more than 200 files of suspected child sexual abuse material, including material described in court filings as sadomasochistic child abuseand photorealistic AI-generated images depicting nude minors.

Investigators also documented chat logs suggesting distribution of explicit material in a Snapchat group called “Diddy Disciples,” a reference to rapper and music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was convicted in 2025 on federal sex trafficking-related charges and is serving a prison sentence while appealing his conviction.

The affidavit also states that more than 50 intimate photos and videos on Peternel’s phone appeared to show his parents nude or engaged in sexual acts — details that intensified public scrutiny when first reported.

SENTENCED: Son of Life Church pastor gets 6 years in child exploitation case

By Sydney Byerly • The Indiana Citizen • February 13, 2026

ANDERSON, Indiana — The son of a prominent Indiana pastor with close ties to the state’s lieutenant governor was sentenced to six years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to child exploitation charges.

Jonathan Peternel, 24, of Pendleton, pleaded guilty in January to one Level 4 felony count of child exploitation and three felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.

The case drew public attention because his father, Nathan Peternel, remains listed as lead pastor at Life Church, though he previously took a leave of absence following his son’s arrest. Nathan Peternel has been a longtime mentor and close associate of Republican Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith. The two collaborated in church leadership and co-hosted the podcast “Jesus, Sex & Politics,” which frequently discussed sexual morality along with the role of faith in public life and government. No new episodes have been released since shortly after police searched the Peternel home, and two episodes — including one focused on combating child abuse and sex trafficking — were removed.

Beckwith was not present at Friday’s sentencing and has not publicly commented on the case.

Madison Superior Court 6 Judge Mark Dudley sentenced Peternel to six years on the Level 4 felony child exploitation charge, three years each on two Level 5 felony possession charges and one year on a Level 6 felony possession charge. All counts will run concurrently for a total of six years with Peternel sentenced to four years in the Indiana Department of Correction and two years suspended to probation. Peternel must also register as a lifetime sex offender.

Under the plea agreement, the court retained discretion up to a capped executed sentence of six years. Dudley imposed the maximum allowed under that agreement.

The courtroom was filled for sentencing, and many in attendance appeared to be church members, friends and family of Peternel. Both of Peternel’s parents sat front and center during the hearing.

After the sentencing concluded and the court moved on to other matters, a group of Peternel’s supporters stood and exited together. They were directed by a sheriff’s deputy not to gather in the hallway and instead went outside, where they formed a circle, held hands and began praying.

Investigation and charges

The charges stemmed from a tip received by the Hamilton County Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to Snapchat from Peternel’s account.

According to court records previously reviewed by The Indiana Citizen, investigators executed a search warrant at the Peternel family’s home in Pendleton and seized multiple electronic devices. Forensic analysis uncovered more than 200 files of suspected child sexual abuse material, including material described in court filings as sadomasochistic child abuse and photorealistic AI-generated images depicting nude minors.

Investigators also documented chat logs suggesting distribution of explicit material in a Snapchat group called “Diddy Disciples,” a reference to rapper and music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was convicted in 2025 on federal sex trafficking-related charges and is serving a prison sentence while appealing his conviction.

The affidavit also states that more than 50 intimate photos and videos on Peternel’s phone appeared to show his parents nude or engaged in sexual acts — details that intensified public scrutiny when first reported.

Peternel did not post bond and remained in custody throughout all of his court proceedings. He was represented by a public defender.

Peternel: ‘I’m deeply sorry’

Before sentencing, Peternel 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.”

Read entire article.

©2026 Beverly Newman, Ed. D. All rights reserved.

RELATED ARTICLES:

The Survivors of Stormfront

Peternel pried teen girl about sex life in closed-door ‘counseling’, woman says