Key Takeaways
- Jason Coulter, 48, a minister from Green River Pentecostal Church, was arrested on August 17, 2026, on multiple child sex crime charges involving a 17-year-old girl who attended his church.
- Coulter allegedly confessed to Kentucky State Police that he exchanged nude images and sexual messages with the teenager through Snapchat and had sexual contact with her on two occasions.
- Civil action may allow survivors to seek accountability from churches or other institutions that failed to protect them from sexual abuse.
Jason Coulter, 48, a longtime Kentucky music minister and youth pastor, has been arrested on multiple child sex crime charges involving a 17-year-old girl he knew through Green River Pentecostal Church in Hustonville, Kentucky.
According to court documents cited by LEX 18, Coulter admitted to exchanging nude photographs and sexual messages with the teenager through Snapchat and having sexual contact with her on two occasions.
Coulter Allegedly Confessed to Sexual Contact With Teen
“According to court records, Coulter reached out to Kentucky State Police on Aug. 14 and told investigators he wanted to confess to crimes. He told troopers that he and the 17-year-old began exchanging nude photographs through Snapchat. He also told investigators he shared sexual fantasies with her through the app.” (LEX 18)
Coulter reportedly told investigators that he met with the girl on two separate occasions. First, he allegedly met her in April 2026 at Veterans Park in Mercer County, Kentucky, where sexual contact occurred.
The second occasion he referred to allegedly occurred in May, after the teenager met Coulter at the funeral home where he worked. According to Coulter’s Facebook, he has worked at Fox & Friend Funeral Home as a Licensed Funeral Director since 2020.
Coulter said the two later traveled to McKinney, Kentucky, where sexual contact occurred again near a Dollar Store.
According to LEX 18, “Coulter told investigators he kept some of the images exchanged through Snapchat. When investigators arrived at his home to arrest him, he also told them he had sometimes asked the teen for the photographs.”
Investigators interviewed the teenager on August 17, 2026. Her account reportedly confirmed Coulter’s.
What Charges Does Jason Coulter Face?
Coulter faces charges of:
- third-degree sodomy;
- possession of matter showing a sexual performance by a minor;
- promoting a sexual performance by a minor; and
- procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means.
Kentucky State Police confirmed details of Coulter’s confession and arrest to The Roys Report.
Coulter was booked into the Pulaski County Detention Center on August 17.
His next court date is scheduled for August 20, 2026, at 10am in Lincoln District Court.
Green River Pentecostal Church Responds to Coulter’s Arrest
Following Coulter’s arrest, The Roys Report contacted Green River Pentecostal Church Pastor Rick Naylor.
Naylor told The Roys Report that “Coulter ‘resigned last week’ and that the congregation had ‘no comment’ on the charges. Asked if the church was aware of Coulter’s alleged offenses, Naylor said, ‘The inference we would close our eyes to something like that is insulting and I have no further comment.’ The pastor then ended the phone call.”
Jason Coulter’s Background
According to WKYT, Coulter identified himself to a trooper “as a youth pastor at a local church.”
Coulter has held several religious and community-facing positions over the years, including roles involving youth ministry, church leadership, and Christian radio.
Coulter’s Ties to Green River Pentecostal Church
Coulter has longstanding ties to Green River Pentecostal Church in Hustonville, Kentucky, where he was reportedly ordained and held several ministry positions.
“Founded in 1921, The Green River Pentecostal Church is the oldest independent pentecostal church in our area. GRPC, Where God Rules, and People Care,” GRPC writes on its Facebook bio.
Coulter’s Facebook profile lists him as “Praise and Worship Leader & Senior Group Youth Pastor” at the Green River Pentecostal Church since July 12, 2015.
Screengrab from Facebook
An archived version of Green River Pentecostal Church’s Pastoral Staff page identified Rev. Jason Coulter as the church’s Minister of Music:
“The worship experience of the Green River Pentecostal is led by our dynamic Minister of Music, Brother Jason Coulter. Brother Jason Coulter came to know the Lord Jesus Christ, as his personal savior, in 1996 at GRPC. It was there that he married his wife, Sister Heather Coulter. While being heavily involved in the music ministry, he accepted his call and was ordained into the ministry. Since that time, he has been a minister of music, a youth pastor, a senior pastor, and was until mid June 2015, the Minister of Music at Grace Fellowship Church. Brother Jason’s return to GRPC, is simply one of our own, returning home.”
A June 9, 2015 post from the church’s Facebook states that they are “excited to announce that Rev. Jason Coulter has joined our ministry team as our new Minister of Music.”
Coulter’s Ties to Finding Faith Radio and Gospel Music
According to his Facebook profile, Coulter has been the co-owner of Finding Faith Radio, a “Live365 Gospel Music Internet Radio Station,” since Jul 2023.
He has also performed and recorded Christian music. His song “Look Up Don’t Look Out” appeared on a 2023 Southern Gospel and Positive Country chart.
Coulter’s Ties to Isaiah’s House
Both news reporting and social media posts identify Coulter’s involvement with Isaiah House, a Christian nonprofit addiction recovery organization based in Kentucky.
When a “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” Gains Community Trust
The phrase “wolf in sheep’s clothing” is often used to describe someone who appears trustworthy while concealing harmful intentions.
People who sexually abuse children do not always appear dangerous. They may be respected pastors, mentors, volunteers, or community leaders whose positions give them access to young people and the trust of their families. An individual may build credibility with parents, church leaders, and the entire community.
For survivors, this dynamic can make disclosure even harder. A child may fear they will not be believed or worry about the consequences of speaking out against a respected religious or community leader.
Cases involving allegations against trusted religious leaders highlight why safeguards and accountability are critical within institutions responsible for the care and protection of children.
Could The Green River Pentecostal Church Be Held Responsible?
The criminal case against Coulter will determine whether he is guilty of the charges against him. A civil investigation serves a different purpose and may examine whether a church or other institution entrusted with children’s safety took reasonable steps to protect them.
Green River Pentecostal Church had a longstanding relationship with Coulter. The church says he was ordained there, while Coulter’s Facebook profile lists him as a Praise and Worship Leader and Senior Group Youth Pastor for the past eleven years.
These facts alone do not establish that Green River Pentecostal Church is legally responsible for Coulter’s alleged conduct.
Whether the church could face civil liability would depend on what the organization knew or reasonably should have known and whether it took appropriate steps to protect young people.
A civil investigation may examine questions such as:
- What background checks or screening were required for Coulter to work with minors?
- What policies governed interactions and private electronic communications between youth leaders and teenagers?
- Did anyone previously report concerns or warning signs involving Coulter’s interactions with minors?
- What, if any, child sexual abuse prevention training did Coulter and other youth leaders receive?
- When did church leadership first learn of the allegations?
Civil litigation can provide survivors with a pathway to hold institutions accountable, pursue compensation for the harm they have suffered, and encourage stronger policies designed to better protect children in the future.
Legal Options for Survivors
If you or someone you love were harmed by a Jason Coulter or another religious leader, minister, or authority figure, you do not have to navigate this process alone.
The attorneys at Andreozzi + Foote represent survivors of sexual abuse nationwide. Our firm has extensive experience handling cases involving churches, youth organizations, and other institutions entrusted with the safety of children.
We offer free, confidential case evaluations to help survivors understand their rights and explore the legal options that may be available to them. Our team approaches every case with compassion for survivors and a commitment to holding institutions accountable.
Contact us today.
Image sources: Background: The Green River Pentecostal Church, courtesy of Facebook. Left: Photo of Jason Coulter, courtesy of Facebook, 2015. Right: Jason Coulter, courtesy of Pulaski County Detention Center, via Lex 18.
