An HIV-positive pastor sexually abuses a 14-year-old boy without protection

A pastor in Florida, USA, has been accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy and exposing him to HIV.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office's Special Victims Unit arrested and charged Timothy Chaneyfield, 42, pastor of St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church.

According to Sheriff Grady Judd, investigators received an online report from Instagram regarding inappropriate activity between an adult and a child.

In an interview, the 14-year-old victim revealed that she and Chaneyfield met on a dating app and then continued to chat via Instagram.

Investigators indicated that Chaneyfield allegedly picked up the boy from his neighborhood three times, took him home, and sexually assaulted him.

During a phone call with the victim, Chaneyfield allegedly told the child that he wanted to continue having sexual relations with him. The 42-year-old also told the victim that he was flying to Baltimore for work.

Detectives also learned that Chaneyfield is a chaplain for the Compassionate Care Hospice and was due to preside over a funeral ceremony.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Chaneyfield. In cooperation with the Orlando Police Department, he was taken into custody upon his return to Orlando Airport on July 29, 2026.

Authorities stated that he confessed to having sexual activity with the minor during questioning.

In a separate investigation, a man reported to authorities that he had had sexual relations with Chaneyfield and that he learned afterwards that Chaneyfield was HIV positive.

Detectives confirmed that Chaneyfield is HIV positive, that he is taking medication, and that he did not inform the man or the child of his HIV status.

After learning this, the sheriff stated that the child immediately received medical treatment to prevent infection.

“This is a drug-smoking preacher you have right in front of you,” Judd said. “This is a pedophile, drug-smoking preacher right in front of you.” He was also appropriately prosecuted for these crimes.

So far, Chaneyfield has been charged with three counts of lewd battery, three counts of obstruction of custody of a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, three counts of traveling to meet a minor, four counts of sexual intercourse by a person infected with HIV without informing their partner, possession of marjuana, and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is being held on bail of over $350,000.