Youth Pastor Arrested for Soliciting Explicit Images from Minors
A youth pastor has been accused of posing as a teenage boy online to obtain explicit images from underage girls through social media. Jaco Bryan Barnett, 34, was working as an associate pastor at Catawba Valley Baptist Church in Virginia when he was arrested on Wednesday.
Barnett, who is married and has a two-year-old son, allegedly masqueraded as a 17-year-old named “Jodie Johnson” to communicate with a 15-year-old girl. Over several days, he convinced her to send sexually explicit material, as detailed in federal court documents. Reports indicate that he repeatedly urged the girl to share nude photos throughout July, even sending her one of himself despite her hesitations.
On May 19, Barnett sent a message to another 15-year-old girl while simultaneously answering a call from his wife just moments later. Authorities noted that he received images from this girl shortly after, and then replied quickly after that. The following day, he reached out to her again just before receiving another call from his wife, allegedly messaging the girl while still on the phone with his spouse.
The girl’s mother alerted the FBI after discovering explicit communications on her daughter’s phone, which led to an investigation that traced the messages back to Barnett.
According to the U.S. Attorneys’ Office for the Western District of Virginia, agents found that Barnett appeared to be pursuing underage girls on platforms like TikTok. He also reportedly sought explicit images through Discord and Snapchat.
“These grave allegations are the kind of things that worry parents,” stated a representative from the FBI Richmond. “It’s crucial to educate children and the community on the dangers posed by anonymous online individuals to ensure their safety.”
Authorities have accused Barnett of attempting to solicit and seduce minors. If found guilty, he could face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
