A pastor in Florida has been arrested after authorities say he sexually abused a young boy on multiple occasions, all while being HIV-positive and failing to disclose it.
Earlier in the month, a press release from the Polk County Sheriff’s office revealed:
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested and charged 42-year-old Timothy Chaneyfield, the pastor at St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church in Winter Haven, after receiving a NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Endangered Children) cyber tip regarding inappropriate contact he was having with a child.
The investigation began on July 28, 2026 upon receipt of the tip. During an interview, the 14-year-old victim disclosed that he and Chaneyfield met on a dating mobile app, and then continued to chat via Instagram, which is where the NCMEC tip was generated.
Chaneyfield picked up the victim on three consecutive days at the entrance to the victim’s subdivision, then drove the victim to his house in Winter Haven, where he had sex with the victim each day.
During a phone call with the victim, Chaneyfield told the child that he wanted to continue having sex with him. He then told the victim that he was flying to Baltimore for work.
After being arrested, the perverted ‘pastor’ admitted to having sex with the minor, and it was subsequently revealed he was HIV positive yet did not disclose it to the youth.
He’s been charged with:
Three counts lewd battery of a minor (F2)
Three counts interfering with custody of a minor (F3)
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device (F3)
Three counts of travelling to meet a minor (F2)
Four counts of an HIV infected person having sex without informing partner (F3)
Possession of marijuana (M1)
Five counts possession of drug paraphernalia (M1)
