Former Virginia Youth Pastor Sentenced for Exploiting Girls Online

A former youth pastor, Jacob Ryan Barnett, 35, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his actions in attempting to sexually exploit a minor online. Barnett, formerly associated with Catawba Valley Baptist Church in Troutville, Virginia, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a child.
The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert Ballou on Monday, July 27, 2026, noted that Barnett had previously raised a family and ministered to young people while maintaining a secret online identity. He admitted to using this false persona to solicit explicit images from minors, with the most vulnerable being just 12 years old. The investigation was initiated after the mother of a 15-year-old Michigan girl discovered explicit messages on her daughter’s phone and reported them to authorities.
Federal agents identified Barnett through the investigation, leading to his arrest in August 2025 during a church youth retreat in Brevard, North Carolina. The church expressed deep grief over the allegations, praying for those affected and seeking justice. Prosecutors indicated Barnett targeted at least a dozen minors across the country, utilizing social media platforms to contact them under the guise of being a 17-year-old named “Jodie Johnson.”
Barnett’s attorney argued against a harsher sentence, but the court acknowledged the gravity of the offense. The case underscores the importance of accountability and the potential for harmful behavior to occur even within trusted religious environments. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, we are to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, this judgment reflects a call for such standards in all aspects of life, including within faith communities. Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the vulnerable.

Source: Read the original report