A 42-year-old Florida pastor faces multiple charges after sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy, and failing to disclose his HIV-positive status to the minor and another adult partner, according to authorities.
Timothy Chaneyfield, pastor of St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church, was arrested on July 29th after a cyber tip from Instagram led investigators his alleged inappropriate relationship with the minor.
Polk Co Sheriff’s Office reports that Chaneyfield met the teen online, picked him up on multiple occasions, admitted to sexual activity with the minor, and failed to disclose his HIV-positive status. The teen was provided medical treatment to help prevent HIV infection, according to WWSB.
“This is the preacher. And you go, okay, “He’s also a child pedophile, a predator,” Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd said during the news conference while holding up a picture of the suspect and his church.
“In edition to being a preacher at this church, he’s also a chaplain for Compassionate Care Hospice. And if that’s not enough, between 2012 and about 2024, he worked for the school system in Polk County,” he added. He also called him “a dope smoking pedophile preacher.”
Chaneyfield’s charges includes traveling to meet a minor, unlawful use of a communication device, lewd battery involving a minor, failure to disclose HIV status, interfering with custody of a minor, and drug-related offenses.
He remains in custody, according to VINELink, as the investigation continues.
