Virginia Youth Pastor Arrested for Soliciting Nude Photos from Minors

Jacob Ryan Barnett, a 34-year-old youth pastor at Catawba Valley Baptist Church in Virginia, has been arrested on federal charges for posing as a teenage boy on social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord to groom underage girls and solicit sexually explicit photos and videos. Using the fake identity "Jodie Johnson," Barnett pressured minors across the country, including a 15-year-old girl in Michigan, into sending explicit material, some recorded when they were as young as 14. Investigators discovered Barnett's activities following the Michigan girl's mother checking her phone, leading to a months-long FBI investigation that uncovered a disturbing pattern of manipulation and exploitation. Despite his role as a pastor and father, Barnett allegedly engaged in these crimes while interacting with victims, sometimes even speaking with his wife during the exchanges. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted and is currently held without bond. Authorities emphasize the importance of parental vigilance and open conversations about online dangers to protect children from predators exploiting digital platforms.