Police Arrests HIV-Pastor for S3xually Abvsing 14-Year-Old Boy

A Florida pastor is facing multiple criminal charges after investigators accused him of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy, failing to disclose his HIV status and committing several related offences.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested 42-year-old Timothy Chaneyfield, pastor at St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church.

He is being held on more than $350,000 bond.

According to Sheriff Grady Judd, the investigation began after authorities received a cyber tip from Instagram about inappropriate activity involving an adult and a child.

During an interview, the 14-year-old told investigators he met Chaneyfield on a dating app before the two continued communicating through Instagram.

Detectives said Chaneyfield allegedly picked the boy up from his neighbourhood on three occasions, took him to his home and sexually abused him.

Investigators said that during a phone call with the victim, Chaneyfield allegedly told the boy he wanted to continue having sex with him.

He also reportedly told the child he was flying to Baltimore for work.

Detectives later learned Chaneyfield was serving as a chaplain for Compassionate Care Hospice and was scheduled to preside over a funeral.

Authorities obtained an arrest warrant and, with assistance from the Orlando Police Department, arrested him upon his return to Orlando International Airport on July 29, 2026.

Authorities said Chaneyfield admitted during an interview to engaging in sexual activity with the minor.

In a separate investigation, another man told authorities he had sex with Chaneyfield and later discovered that Chaneyfield was HIV positive.

Detectives confirmed Chaneyfield is HIV positive and taking medication, and alleged he did not disclose his HIV status to either the man or the child before the sexual encounters.

After learning of the allegation, authorities said the child immediately received medical treatment intended to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

“This is a dope-smoking preacher right here in front of you,” Sheriff Judd said. “He’s a dope-smoking paedophile preacher right before you.”

Judd added, “He has been appropriately charged for those crimes as well.”

Chaneyfield has been charged with three counts of lewd battery of a minor, three counts of interfering with custody of a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, three counts of travelling to meet a minor, four counts of an HIV-infected person having sex without informing a partner, possession of marijuana, and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.