Former Baltimore, Virginia Youth Pastors Arrested in Separate Abuse Cases

Thomas Pinkerton, a former youth pastor at Central Christian Church in Baltimore County, Maryland, has been arrested and charged with 24 felony and misdemeanor counts of sexual abuse involving at least six teenagers between 2006 and 2010. The alleged abuse, which included inappropriate touching and kissing, occurred both at the church and at Pinkerton's home, with one additional report of abuse in Georgia. Pinkerton, who has worked as a traveling evangelist in multiple states and continents, was extradited from Georgia to Maryland and is being held without bond, pleading not guilty through his attorney. Authorities believe there may be more victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Central Christian Church expressed heartbreak over the allegations, emphasizing their commitment to supporting victims and cooperating with law enforcement. This case is part of broader sex abuse allegations affecting the Assemblies of God denomination, the world's largest Pentecostal group in the U.S.