WARNING: This article contains graphic language and details.
by Abigail Roberts
The Lincoln County youth pastor who confessed to Kentucky State Police (KSP) earlier this month that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old in his youth group is now facing a federal charge.
Jason Coulter, 48, of Hustonville, was arrested by Kentucky State Police on Aug. 17 after he allegedly called police on Aug. 14 to confess his crimes. Coulter was arrested and charged with with sodomy (third degree); possession of matter sexual performance by minor; promoting a sexual performance by a minor and procuring or promoting use of minor by electronic means.
According to The Lexington Times, a criminal complaint was filed by federal prosecutors on Aug. 28 in U.S. District in Lexington charging Coulter with enticement of a minor 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). The federal charge carries a minimum of 10 years in prison.
18 U.S.C. § 2422(b) prohibits a person from persuading, inducing, enticing or coercing any person under 18 to engage in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.
A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) affidavit, sworn before Hon. Edward B. Atkins, details Coulter’s relationship with the minor and information that was provided to KSP by Coulter.
Coulter told police he and his family took the minor with them to dinner a few times and “tried to help her out and encourage her.” His relationship with the minor evolved into regular conversations – the two communicated with each other on TikTok and Snapchat.
He told police he was an insurance salesman, funeral director and youth pastor.
“Coulter advised that for approximately one and a half months, between the end of April/early May 2026 until the middle of June 2026, he sent a lot of vulgar text messages, received pictures from the minor and sent pictures to the minor,” the FBI affidavit states. “He advised that they met to engage in sexual activity on two occasions.”
Coulter told police he met with the minor after school at Anderson Dean Park in Mercer County and again in his vehicle in Lincoln County after a funeral that the minor assisted Coulter with, according to the affidavit. Coulter allegedly told police the two planned to meet a few other times but it never worked out.
“Coulter advised that, in the third week of June 2026, the youth group attended a Youth Camp,” the affidavit states. “Coulter felt bad about his relationship with MV1 (minor victim 1) and, from that point on, he no longer messaged MV1 about sexual things. They continued to message and talk but not about sexual things.”
Police also interviewed the minor victim, who confirmed the details provided by Coulter. The minor said nude images were exchanged for approximately one month over Snapchat and TikTok.
KSP seized both the victim and Coulter’s phones and obtained search warrants for the devices. A search warrant was also obtained and served to Snapchat and the results of those searches are pending.
The FBI affidavit, submitted by FBI Special Agent Bethany Harmon, states that Coulter engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old minor female and that he used online platforms, such as TikTok and Snapchat, to discuss and further that sexual activity while in the Eastern District of Kentucky.
The federal statute applies to anyone under 18 years old and while Kentucky’s age of consent is 16, it is illegal when the adult holds a position of authority or special trust, like youth pastor, over the minor.
Coulter’s bond was set at $10,000 for the Lincoln County charges. He was originally lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center. He was released on bond Tuesday, Aug. 25. He is required to wear a GPS monitor. He also has a $10,000 surety bond in Mercer County.
Coulter is set to appear in Lincoln County court today.
