Jacob Ryan Barnett, a 34-year-old youth pastor from Virginia, was arrested on Wednesday (August 6) in North Carolina after an FBI investigation revealed he allegedly posed as a teenage boy to exploit young girls online. Known as "Pastor Jake" at Catawba Valley Baptist Church, Barnett is accused of using platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord to lure minors into sending explicit photos and videos.
According to a federal affidavit, Barnett, under the alias "Jodie Johnson," engaged in inappropriate conversations with a 15-year-old girl, identified as "M.V." in court documents. He allegedly pressured her to send explicit material, including videos filmed when she was 14. Barnett reportedly continued these exchanges while on the phone with his wife.
The investigation began after the FBI received a tip from a mother in Michigan. The affidavit details that Barnett's TikTok account followed thousands of minor girls, and his communications with M.V. were traced back to his church-related emails and phone numbers. Barnett faces federal charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, as reported by Daily Mail.
Barnett's actions have shocked the community, where he was known for his dedication to youth ministry. The U.S. Attorney's Office emphasized the importance of parental awareness of children's online activities, highlighting the risks posed by platforms that allow predators to reach minors directly.