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, resulting in a total executed sentence of six years, followed by two years of probation. Peternel must also register as a 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.
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.
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.”
He continued, apologizing to his family, friends and church community for the “unbelievable stress and embarrassment” he caused.
Addressing his parents directly, he said: “I’m sorry for putting you in this humiliating situation. You’ve been dishonored, your wonderful reputations have been ruined and your names have been dragged through the mud all because I cared about myself more than you.”
Peternel said he was raised in church and knew right from wrong but made choices “completely contrary to the way I was raised.”
While in custody, he said he recommitted his life to Christianity, participated in daily Bible studies — including with fellow inmates — and completed a 12-step addiction recovery program.
“I promise to spend the rest of my life fighting the wickedness that I participated in,” he said. “Through faith in the Lord, I trust that your sentence will be proper.”
In delivering the sentence, Dudley acknowledged he has handled many similar cases.
“Certainly I’ve sentenced a fair number of people that have committed offenses similar to this, and on a spectrum you’re not on the worst end,” Dudley said. “But egregious behavior is egregious behavior; you just happen to be on the lower end of that spectrum.”
Dudley said he was not convinced Peternel posed no risk of reoffending and indicated that concern factored into his sentencing decision. Rather than accept assurances alone, he said, the court must respond to the crime that occurred.
He emphasized the broader impact of child exploitation offenses.
“You alluded to it but what you do affects what other people do and has them exploit minors. That’s pretty darn serious … and my sentencing reflects that,” Dudley said.
Addressing Peternel directly, he referenced the strong family support noted in the presentence investigation and visible in the courtroom.
“You have a strong personality and a lot of family support … rely on them and you can do good,” Dudley said. “Don’t give up just because you’re in the Department of Correction. You’re there, not because it’s going to make you a better person — you’re there for accountability. You can use that time for your benefit and the benefit of others.”
Peternel will receive credit for time served as he begins his six-year sentence.
Sydney Byerly is a political reporter who grew up in New Albany, Indiana. Before joining The Citizen, Sydney reported news for TheStatehouseFile.com and most recently managed and edited The Corydon Democrat & Clarion News in southern Indiana. She earned her bachelor’s in journalism at Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism (‘Sco Griz!).
The Indiana Citizen is a nonpartisan, nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed and engaged Hoosier citizens. We are operated by the Indiana Citizen Education Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. For questions about the story, contact Marilyn Odendahl at marilyn.odendahl@indianacitizen.org.
