Florida— A 42-year-old Winter Haven pastor, Timothy Chaneyfield, has been arrested on multiple felony charges after authorities say he had unprotected sex with a 14-year-old boy and failed to disclose that he is HIV-positive.
The investigation into Chaneyfield began after a cybertip from Instagram alerted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to illegal activity between an adult and a child. Detectives discovered that Chaneyfield initially connected with the 14-year-old victim on a dating app before moving their communications to Instagram.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Chaneyfield picked up the teen near the boy’s neighborhood on three separate occasions and drove him to his home in Eagle Lake for sexual encounters. Chaneyfield, who is HIV-positive, allegedly failed to inform the minor of his status before engaging in unprotected sex.
Deputies took Chaneyfield into custody upon his return from Baltimore, where he had been performing a funeral through his hospice work. Sheriff Judd stated that Chaneyfield confessed to the acts.
The 14-year-old victim was provided with an HIV medical treatment cocktail in an effort to prevent infection. However, investigators have identified at least one other victim: a 26-year-old man who reported having sex with Chaneyfield and has since tested positive for HIV.
Sheriff Judd, who referred to the suspect as a “dope-smoking pedophile preacher,” expressed concern that there may be additional victims. He noted that Chaneyfield allegedly used his “power and persuasion” as a minister to groom children and at least one adult.
Chaneyfield has deep ties to the Polk County community, having worked for the Polk County school system from 2012 to 2024. His roles included serving as a substitute teacher, a paraeducator, and a network manager, with time spent at Crystal Lake Middle School.
He was also a former employee of Compassionate Care Hospice. In a statement, the hospice confirmed they are aware of the allegations and are cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Legal Charges Chaneyfield faces an extensive list of charges, including:
- Three counts of lewd battery of a minor.
- Four counts of an HIV-infected person having sex without informing their partner.
- Three counts of traveling to meet a minor.
- Three counts of interfering with custody of a minor.
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
- Possession of cannabis and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Chaneyfield to contact them immediately.
