NORTH WILKESBORO (NC)
FOX8 WGHP [High Point NC]
June 19, 2026
By Emily Mikkelsen, Gretchen Stenger
A man who once served as a pastor at a Triad church has been charged with sex crimes.
According to court documents, Timothy Clinton Pruitt Sr., 72, has been charged with three counts of first-degree statutory sex offense, three counts of indecent liberties with a child and three counts of sex act by a custodian.
Pruitt was taken into custody on Thursday by the Wilkesboro Sheriff’s Office.
The incident date was listed as 2020, and the victim was noted in the court documents as being under the age of 13 at the time.
Peace Haven Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro confirmed that Pruitt was a former pastor at the church but has not worked there in more than a decade.
Church leadership provided the following statement:
Peace Haven Baptist Church is deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent allegations and arrest involving Tim Pruitt Sr. who formerly served as pastor of our church. Mr. Pruitt resigned as pastor in 2012 and has not served in any leadership, ministerial, or representative capacity with Peace Haven Baptist Church since that time.
The charges that have been reported are extremely serious, and our hearts are with anyone who may have been harmed. While we respect the legal process and recognize that these matters will proceed through the courts, Peace Haven Baptist Church unequivocally condemns any form of abuse, exploitation, or misconduct.
Elders of Peace Haven Baptist Church