HIV+ FL Pastor Arrested In Child Sex Abuse Investigation: Sheriff

WINTER HAVEN, FL — An HIV positive Winter Haven pastor has been charged in Polk County after detectives said a cyber tip led them to investigate allegations of inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old boy.

Timothy Chaneyfield, 42, pastor at St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church in Winter Haven, was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office's Special Victims Unit, the agency said in a news release.

The investigation began July 28, after deputies received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children.

During an interview, the victim disclosed that he and Chaneyfield met on a mobile dating app and then continued to talk on Instagram, where the tip originated.

Chaneyfield picked up the boy on three consecutive days at the entrance to his subdivision. The pastor then brought the victim to his Winter Haven home, where he had sex with the child each day, the sheriff’s office said.

He later told the boy during a phone call that he wanted to continue having sex with him. He also told the victim he was flying to Baltimore for work.

Detectives learned that Chaneyfield is a chaplain for Compassionate Care Hospice and was going to preside over a funeral in Baltimore, according to the sheriff’s office.

Investigators obtained a warrant for his arrest and, working with the Orlando Police Department, took him into custody when he returned to Orlando airport on July 29.

He was booked into the Orange County Jail on the Polk County warrant, then interviewed by Polk County detectives. During that interview, Chaneyfield admitted to sexual activity with the minor, the sheriff’s office said.

He was transferred to the Polk County Jail on Saturday.

In a separate investigation, a man reported to the sheriff’s office that he had sex with Chaneyfield and learned afterward that the pastor was HIV positive. Detectives confirmed that Chaneyfield is HIV positive and taking medication for the disease.

Chaneyfield didn’t inform the adult victim or the child about his HIV status.

So far, 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 partner, possession of marijuana, and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held on a bond of more than $350,000.

Anyone with information regarding possible other minor victims or adult victims who were not told of his HIV status is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 863-298-6200.

See Also:

• USPS Worker Stole Winning Lottery Ticket From Mail, Cashed It In: FL Officials
• Gun Fired During Fight On PSTA Bus Along U.S. 19: Reports
• FL Congressional Candidate Arrested During Welfare Check On Children
• Tampa Hotel Robbery Leads To 3 Arrests In Pinellas County, Sheriff Says
• Sarasota Man Sentenced For Witness Tampering In Domestic Violence Case: State Attorney
• Yorkie Recovering After Gator Attack In Englewood