NOBLESVILLE (IN)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
October 28, 2025
By Mark A. Kellner
A son of a prominent Indiana pastor faces multiple felony counts linked to child sexual abuse material after an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation led detectives to seize electronic devices containing hundreds of files.
Jonathan Wesley Peternel, 24, of Noblesville, Indiana, was arrested Oct. 23 after the Hamilton County Metro ICAC Task Force executed warrants. They stemmed from a CyberTip alerting authorities to Peternel’s uploads on Snapchat, according to a statement released by investigators.
Peternel is the son of Nathan Peternal, lead pastor of Life Church, a multi-site church based in Noblesville, Indiana. One of the campus pastors of Life Church is Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, who co-hosts a podcast with Nathan Peternel called, “Jesus, Sex & Politics.”
The shocking pornography haul included “more than 50 photos and videos” that appeared to show Jonathan’s parents nude or engaged in sex acts, according to a probable-cause affidavit reviewed by The Roys Report (TRR). It also shows a graphic 18-minute video of a screaming young girl being raped.
In an initial appearance in Madison County Circuit Court 6, Jonathan Peternel pleaded not guilty to charges including child exploitation (a Level 4 felony) and possession of child sexual abuse material (Level 5 and Level 6 felonies). He remains in custody at the Madison County jail pending additional proceedings, court records show.
A detailed account published by The Indiana Citizen states detectives served a search warrant at the Peternel family home on State Road 132 on Sept. 10. Both Jonathan and his father answered the door as investigators arrived.
Jonathan attends Ivy Tech Community College’s Anderson campus. He’s also a member of the Indiana National Guard and told police he is a mechanic on Blackhawk helicopters there.
Detectives seized multiple laptops, tablets, phones, and storage devices from the Peternel home for forensic analysis, the affidavit said.
Forensic review uncovered more than 200 suspected child sexual abuse files, according to that report. These included “sadomasochistic child abuse” material and “photorealistic AI-generated photos of nude pregnant toddlers.”
Chat logs indicated the material was shared in a Snapchat group referencing entertainment mogul and convicted sex offender Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. The police department in Fishers, Indiana, posted the arrest announcement on behalf of the ICAC Task Force, listing the preliminary counts and the Oct. 23 arrest date.
The Indiana Citizen further reported that Jonathan Peternel told the court he planned to retain attorney Devin Norrick. However, Norrick told the outlet his firm, Adler Attorneys, had “no active role” in the case as of Friday. A MyCase docket summary referenced by the outlet listed a “Status of Counsel” hearing for Nov. 7, followed by an attorney conference Nov. 20, and a dispositional hearing set for Jan. 16, 2026.
Life Church and Pastor Nathan Peternel did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
However, a statement posted on Life Church’s website states, “We are deeply saddened by the recent allegations involving Pastor Nathan’s adult son and want to express our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected. Our prayers are with Pastor Nathan and his family during this incredibly difficult time, as well as with the families and individuals impacted by these events.
It adds that as the church navigates this “challenging moment, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency.”
Jonathan Peternel’s arrest has drawn heightened scrutiny to the congregation and to Beckwith’s office. A Beckwith spokesman said the lieutenant governor had no immediate comment on the arrest.
The ICAC Task Force urged the public not to circulate or attempt to access the alleged material and asked anyone with relevant information to contact investigators. Authorities said forensic analysis of the seized devices is continuing.
Court filings reviewed by TRR indicate Peternel has no prior felony convictions in Indiana. Prosecutors have not alleged criminal conduct by the parents and have not announced additional arrests.