Lakeland Pastor Accused Of Attempted Sex With A Youth Member

LAKELAND, FL — A youth pastor of Lakeland confessed to investigators that he drove one of his youth members to a local motel for sexual engagement in December after the victim shared she had sexual fantasies of him, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Twenty-nine-year-old Andrew Pierce Weaver, a Highlands Church of Christ pastor, was arrested with attempting to have sex with a minor charges Monday, detectives said. The suspect had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl in his youth group from September 2020 to January 2021.

The victim told authorities that Weaver had been giving her informal guidance after she shared with him that had been having sexual fantasies. Weaver asked her if she had fantasies of him. She told him he was in her sexual fantasies, according to police.

The victim showed naked pictures of herself to Weaver at his request during the five-month period, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office affidavit. He also suggested they keep their relationship secret.

Motel records at Best Western in Mulberry showed Weaver had checked into a room at 1:13 p.m., Dec. 29, 2020, authorities said. Weaver had driven the two of them to the motel after he picked the teen up from the church.

The victim said she and Weaver made out in the room, and he touched and kissed the exposed area of her breasts. A maid interrupted the encounter by knocking on the door. Detectives found out this startled Weaver, and the pair both got dressed and left.

Weaver told deputies he struggles with impulse control.

"Youth ministers are entrusted with mentoring our children," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "This minister betrayed that trust and he must be held accountable. Thankfully, the church leadership did the right thing by reporting his inappropriate behavior."

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Weaver faces the following charges:

• Attempted unlawful sex with a minor
• Interference with child custody due to Weaver taking the child from the church and to the hotel with the intent to have sex with her.

Weaver told detectives he is married.