Pastor in Roanoke County apprehended by the FBI, charged with allegedly grooming a 15-year-old girl
Pastor Accused of Soliciting Explicit Material from Minors
Jacob Ryan Barnett, a former pastor and current Associate Pastor of Students & Mobilization at Catawba Valley Baptist Church, was arrested by the FBI in North Carolina on August 7, 2025. The arrest follows allegations of soliciting explicit material from minors through social media platforms such as TikTok, Discord, and Snapchat [1][2].
Barnett, who went by the name "Pastor Jake," previously served as the head of the children's ministry at Bethel Baptist Church in Yorktown, Virginia, for five years prior to his current role. His roles in both churches involved working closely with youth and children, including involvement in student ministries and mobilization activities [1].
In addition to his work in churches, Barnett was involved with local Christian summer camps, where he engaged with children and youth in various capacities typical of such ministries. However, detailed specific records or descriptions of his duties at the camps beyond general youth ministry roles are not available in the search results [1].
The allegations against Barnett involve him pretending to be a teenage boy on TikTok and convincing a 15-year-old girl to send him an explicit video of herself [2]. The federal complaint against Barnett also details other accusations beyond this case that sparked the investigation [1].
Attempts to contact Catawba Valley Baptist Church for a statement were unsuccessful as calls were forwarded to a voicemail [1].
In summary, Barnett's roles at Catawba Valley Baptist Church and Bethel Baptist Church placed him in positions of trust and responsibility over children and teenagers. His recent arrest involving allegations of exploiting that trust through online grooming and solicitation of minors has raised critical concerns about his conduct in his previous roles in church ministries and camps.
[1] Federal Complaint Against Jacob Ryan Barnett Available for Viewing [2] The Department of Justice Received a Report About Barnett on Thursday
The arrest of Jacob Ryan Barnett, a former pastor, has brought forth questionable conduct in his previous roles, as he was accused of soliciting explicit material from minors online, a concern that extends beyond his current charges [1]. This incident raises concerns about the intersection of general news, crime and justice, and health and wellness, particularly sexual health, in religious institutions and youth programs like churches and summer camps. Despite his involvement in various capacities in these settings, specific details about his duties at the summer camps remain scarce [1].
