Florida pastor accused of having sex with 14-year-old boy while hiding HIV diagnosis
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Timothy Chaneyfield, a 42-year-old pastor in Winter Haven, Florida, was arrested for having unprotected sex with at least one underage boy and an adult man without disclosing his HIV-positive status; authorities fear there may be additional victims.
- The 14-year-old victim met Chaneyfield on a dating app, leading to three sexual encounters, while a 26-year-old man also tested positive for HIV after contact with the pastor.
- Chaneyfield faces multiple charges including lewd battery of a minor, unlawful use of communication devices, traveling to meet a minor, having sex while HIV-positive without disclosure, and drug possession.
- Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd criticized Baltimore authorities for not assisting in Chaneyfield’s arrest when he was leading a funeral there, and warned the community to report any sexual encounters with the suspect.
- Chaneyfield also worked as a hospice chaplain and substitute teacher; the church he led has been disassociated by the national United American Freewill Baptist Conference, which declined to comment on the case.
