A pastor from Winter Haven, Florida, has been arrested following allegations of sexually battering a 14-year-old boy and knowingly exposing him to HIV. Timothy Chaneyfield, 42, who serves as pastor of St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church, was taken into custody on July 29 after an investigation initiated by a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
"We pray that our work was fast enough because we got our victim, the 14-year-old, the HIV cocktail that we stopped this child from being infected." — Sheriff Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrest during a news conference, stating, "We received a cyber tip from Instagram that there was illicit, inappropriate activity between an adult and a child." Investigators detailed that the 14-year-old victim informed detectives he initially connected with Chaneyfield through a mobile dating application before their communications continued on Instagram. According to authorities, Chaneyfield allegedly picked up the teenager near his subdivision entrance on three consecutive days, transporting him to his residence in Winter Haven where the alleged sexual activity occurred.
Detectives learned that Chaneyfield was traveling to Baltimore in his capacity as a chaplain for Compassionate Care Hospice to officiate a funeral. An arrest warrant was subsequently obtained. With assistance from the Orlando Police Department, Chaneyfield was apprehended upon his return to Orlando International Airport on July 29. During his interview with detectives, Chaneyfield reportedly admitted to the alleged sexual activity with the minor. Sheriff Judd confirmed, "He confessed. He confessed that he picked up this 14-year-old child on at least three different occasions, took him to Timothy’s home in Eagle Lake, where he engaged this child in sex."
Further complicating the allegations, authorities stated that a separate adult male later reported having sexual contact with Chaneyfield and subsequently discovering Chaneyfield's HIV-positive status. Investigators allege that Chaneyfield failed to disclose his HIV status to either the adult complainant or the teenage victim prior to their encounters. Sheriff Judd emphasized the urgency of the investigation upon learning of the potential HIV exposure to the minor. "We pray that our work was fast enough because we got our victim, the 14-year-old, the HIV cocktail that we stopped this child from being infected," Judd stated, highlighting the rapid response to mitigate potential health risks.
Chaneyfield faces a comprehensive list of charges, including three counts of lewd battery of a minor, three counts of interfering with custody of a minor, three counts of traveling to meet a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Additionally, he is charged with four counts of an HIV-infected person having sex without informing a partner, possession of marijuana, and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. He is currently being held on a bond exceeding $350,000.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office also disclosed that Chaneyfield had been employed by Polk County Public Schools from 2012 to 2024, serving as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, and IT worker, including time at Crystal Lake Middle School. This revelation has prompted concerns about potential additional victims. Sheriff Judd explicitly stated, "I would be shocked if there weren’t other children victims out there. I would be shocked if there weren’t other victims out there." The investigation remains active and ongoing, with authorities encouraging anyone with relevant information or who may have had alleged contact with Chaneyfield to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
