Florida pastor accused of sex with a child and hiding HIV-positive status
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Florida pastor Timothy Chaneyfield, 42, was arrested for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old boy and an adult male while concealing his HIV-positive status.
- Police allege Chaneyfield used a dating app to connect with the minor and organized three separate sexual encounters.
- Sheriff Grady Judd described Chaneyfield as a "dope-smoking pedophile preacher" and a "menace to society," expressing fears of further HIV transmission.
Authorities in Florida have arrested Timothy Chaneyfield, a 42-year-old pastor, on charges including alleged sexual offenses against a minor and an adult, and failing to disclose his HIV-positive status. Police announced the arrest of the pastor, described as a "dope-smoking pedophile preacher," late last month.
dope-smoking pedophile preacher
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Chaneyfield, who leads St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church in Winter Haven, allegedly connected with a 14-year-old boy via a dating app. The communications reportedly moved to Instagram, where Chaneyfield is accused of arranging three separate sexual encounters with the minor. Sheriff Judd stated that Chaneyfield allegedly met the boy at the entrance to his neighborhood on these occasions.
Investigators received a tip through Instagram regarding "illicit activity" involving an adult and a child. Sheriff Judd indicated that Chaneyfield confessed to the sexual acts with the minor and displayed "no remorse." Crucially, Chaneyfield is HIV-positive and allegedly did not disclose this to the child, prompting swift police action to prevent potential infection. A 26-year-old man who reportedly had sex with Chaneyfield has tested positive for HIV.
On those three different occasions he wasn’t preaching … but he was messing around
Sheriff Judd labeled Chaneyfield a "super spreader," expressing concern that others may have contracted HIV from him. He also described the pastor as "aggressive" in pursuing both adults and children. The sheriff detailed that the 26-year-old victim was unaware of Chaneyfield's HIV status until informed by police, and the minor had "no clue" about the risk during unprotected sex.
no remorse
Chaneyfield faces multiple charges, including counts of lewd battery of a minor, interfering with custody, unlawful use of a communication device, travelling to meet a minor, having sex without informing a partner of HIV status, and drug possession. He was arrested on July 29 while disembarking a flight at Orlando International Airport.
super spreader
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Global News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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