Authorities say Jacob Barnett used various social media identities to solicit sexually explicit material from underage girls across state lines while serving as youth pastor at Catawba Valley Baptist Church, which led to his arrest on August 7.
According to media reports, Barnett, 34, was apprehended by FBI agents in North Carolina on August 6 and is currently being held without bond at the Catawba County Detention Center.
A tip on May 18 led the FBI to investigate a TikTok account that appeared to belong to a teen boy named “Jodie Johnson.” That person had approached a 15-year-old girl in Michigan and, after exchanging phone numbers and days of persistent messaging, convinced her to send a sexually explicit video of herself.
The investigation discovered that the account belonged to Barnett, with phone records indicating that he sent the messages and frequently communicated with minors online. His TikTok account attracted “thousands of young girls.” Barnett also posed as a teenager on Snapchat and Discord to request sexually explicit recordings from minors.
On August 8, Catawba Valley Baptist Church issued a statement saying the congregation was “devastated” at the news.
“We are deeply grieved by these allegations. Our prayers are with anyone who may have been impacted, and we ask the Lord for comfort, healing, and justice,” it read.
“As a church, we remain fully committed to the highest standards of protection, safety, and care for every child, student, and family who is part of our fellowship. We continue to take every measure possible to maintain a safe environment for all.
“We are cooperating with the proper authorities and will refrain from additional public comment while the legal process continues. In this difficult moment, we are leaning on the grace of God and seeking His wisdom and peace.”
Jake Barnett most recently preached at the church on July 27. His passage was from Luke 12:49-59 and was headlined “Not Peace, but Division.”
If you are/have been a victim of sexual assault or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member, or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please contact us at 202-864-5578 or [email protected]. All calls are strictly confidential.
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