A 42-year-old pastor in Florida has been arrested after authorities accused him of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy and failing to disclose that he was HIV positive before engaging in sexual activity.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, Timothy Chaneyfield, pastor of St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church, was arrested following an investigation that began after Instagram submitted a cyber tip about suspected inappropriate communication between an adult and a minor.
Investigators said the alleged victim told detectives he met Chaneyfield on a dating app before they continued communicating through Instagram. Authorities allege the pastor picked the boy up from his neighborhood on three separate occasions, took him to his home, and sexually abused him.
Police further alleged that Chaneyfield later told the child during a phone conversation that he wanted to continue having sexual relations with him. Investigators also discovered he was serving as a chaplain with Compassionate Care Hospice and was scheduled to officiate a funeral.
With assistance from the Orlando Police Department, Chaneyfield was arrested at Orlando International Airport on July 29, 2026, after returning from a trip. Authorities said he admitted during questioning that he had engaged in sexual activity with the child.
Detectives also confirmed that Chaneyfield is HIV positive and receiving treatment. They alleged he failed to disclose his HIV status to both the child and another adult before engaging in sexual activity.
He has been charged with unlawful use of a two-way communication device, traveling to meet an individual, four counts of engaging in sexual activity without disclosing his HIV-positive status, possession of marijuana, and five counts of possessing drug paraphernalia. He is currently being held on a bond exceeding $350,000.
Reactions
Mercy Adeola: “Another man making his family proud. Congratulations to him.”
Vin Kalema: “I hear pastor.”
Amar Cynthia: “To born girl go dey fear this one too?? 😂”
Olaniyan Olayinka: “That’s what ¢hůrčh ls aII ab0ut, măñ fů¢k!nğ măñ, they aIsō lntroďů¢ed Åfr!¢a țō !t when they brought ¢hř!štıan!tý”
Klock Eeet.: “It’s not all men” but it’s Always a man tho!”
Mayor David: “How is this person a pastor?”
Tomoloju Ayanfe: “If we tell them their pastors are fake they will argue with us 🤣🤣🤣”
Karbil Karbil: “Nobody blame Christianity but wait make na Imam na Islam they go de insult.”
Osas Obasohan: “Wow. Are we sure the world has not ended already?”
Rita Muojekwu: “What was the boy wearing??? Why did the boy visit him, maybe the boy enjoyed it”
Engr Sam Sammy: “Ndi touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm.”
Chisom Onyinye: “All these people sef……….this thing don turn to everyday palaver……. mœnsters in human forms…… nawaoo”
Zainab Haruna Evang: “Lack of discipline and spiritual growth.”
