Youth Pastor Charged with Indecent Liberties

StarNews
December 1, 2016

http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20161202/youth-pastor-charged-with-indecent-liberties

A youth pastor at a New Hanover County church was arrested Thursday evening, accused of taking indecent liberties with an 11-year-old boy.

Tyler Simkus Smither, 30, is charged with felony indecent liberties with a child. According to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office arrest warrant, Smither “unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did commit and attempt to commit a lewd and lascivious act” on the child.

Sheriff's Lt. Jerry Brewer said the offense, between Nov. 20-Nov. 21, is internet-based.

At the time of his arrest, Smither was a youth pastor at Harbor United Methodist Church on Masonboro Loop Road. On his Facebook page, Smither states he is from Raleigh and that he previously worked as a youth pastor at a Mississippi church.