A Florida pastor, Timothy Chaneyfield, is facing serious criminal allegations after investigators accused him of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy and allegedly concealing his HIV-positive status before engaging in se.xual activity
The 42-year-old, who leads St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church, came under investigation after the Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber tip from Instagram about suspected inappropriate contact between an adult and a minor.
According to detectives, the teenager told investigators he first met Chaneyfield through a dating app before their conversations continued on Instagram. Authorities allege the pastor later picked the boy up from his neighbourhood on three occasions, took him to his residence and sexually assaulted him.
Investigators also claimed Chaneyfield expressed a desire to continue the relationship during a subsequent phone call. They further discovered that he was serving as a chaplain with Compassionate Care Hospice and had travelled to officiate a funeral.
An arrest warrant was obtained, and with support from the Orlando Police Department, Chaneyfield was taken into custody at Orlando International Airport on July 29, 2026, after returning from his trip.
Authorities said the pastor admitted during questioning that he had engaged in se.xual activity with the minor.
Detectives also confirmed that Chaneyfield is HIV-positive and undergoing treatment. They alleged he failed to inform both the teenage boy and another adult of his HIV status before having sexual relations with them.
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