A 24-year-old man from Indiana, who is the son of a local pastor, was sentenced to prison on Friday after admitting guilt in a case involving child exploitation.
Jonathan Peternell, from Pendleton, is the son of Nathan Peternell, the senior pastor at Indiana Civic Life Church.
Before his sentencing, he pleaded guilty to one count of child exploitation and three counts related to possessing child sexual abuse material.
While “child pornography” is a frequently used term, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) prefers the term “child sexual abuse material” (CSAM) as it more accurately describes the nature of the offenses involving underage individuals.
Judge Mark Dudley from Madison Superior Court sentenced Peternell to six years in prison, which includes two years of probation. Additionally, he must register as a sex offender.
Originally, the Hamilton County Metro Internet Child Crimes Task Force began investigating after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, indicating child pornography was being uploaded to Snapchat through Peternell’s account.
Investigators executed a search warrant at his home in Pendleton and seized several electronic devices. Forensic analysis revealed over 200 items of suspected child sexual abuse material, which included serious allegations of sadomasochistic abuse and graphic, AI-generated images of nude minors.
There were also reports of more than 50 intimate photos and videos on Peternell’s phone that featured parents in explicit situations, details that received public attention upon the case being reported.
According to sources, Peternell was involved in a Snapchat group named “Diddy Dee Disciples,” where he shared various files.
The DOJ notes that the rise of the Internet and modern digital technologies has led to a surge in the child pornography market, with such images now easily accessible through many online platforms, including social media and gaming apps.
