By Bob Allen
The youth pastor of a Tennessee Baptist church was arrested Jan. 3 on charges of statutory rape and sexual battery by an authority figure.
Joseph Todd Neill, 36, youth director at North Fork Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Tenn., is accused of grooming a 17-year-old female member of this youth group for several months, leading to inappropriate touching that occurred on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2.
According to his about.me profile, Neill is a native of Bedford County who works as both a youth pastor and a home inspector. He is married with two children.
North Fork Baptist Church is affiliated with New Duck River Baptist Association, the Tennessee Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.