A Texas pastor, Timothy Daniel Nall, has once again found himself in legal trouble, marking the second time in just two years that he has faced serious allegations involving child sexual abuse. This recent arrest on Saturday in Tyler, Texas, comes after new charges of sexual assault of a child were brought against him. He was released on a $100,000 bond shortly after.
Nall, 70, previously served as the pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Mineola, Texas, where the alleged incidents occurred during the fall of 2022. According to reports, the allegations involve a young church member who claims to have been assaulted multiple times in Nall’s church office while church activities were ongoing. The victim’s family were active members of the church during this troubling time.
This is not Nall’s first brush with the law. In July 2023, he was arrested for allegedly inappropriately touching a 4-year-old girl in his congregation. He was released on a $50,000 bond on the same day of his arrest. Disturbingly, in both cases, Nall is accused of luring his victims into his office with candy.
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office had been actively seeking assistance from the public in locating Nall after issuing a new arrest warrant, which was confirmed in a Facebook post dated January 31. The authorities noted that recent counseling sessions with the child had revealed alarming new details, prompting the renewed investigation.
Nall’s legal troubles span several years, including a notable case in 2014 in Alcorn County, Mississippi, where he faced accusations of felony sexual battery involving a minor. That case ended in a mistrial due to a lack of consensus among jurors. Reports indicate that the alleged abuse occurred while he was serving as a pastor at Farmington Baptist Church, which raises serious concerns about the safety protocols in place at religious institutions.
As of now, Nall is listed as “under investigation” on the Texas Education Agency’s Do Not Hire Registry, indicating that his eligibility for employment in educational settings remains unresolved. This situation reflects a broader issue of accountability within church leadership, as more than a dozen pastors from prominent North Texas churches have stepped down amid various controversies, including several arrests related to sexual offenses.
The recent spate of incidents involving church leaders has sparked discussions within the Christian community about the importance of safeguarding measures and transparency in church operations. It is crucial for congregations to remain vigilant and ensure that their leaders are held to the highest standards of conduct.
For those interested in learning more about safeguarding children in faith-based organizations, resources are available through organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Child Welfare Information Gateway. It is essential for churches to implement rigorous policies that protect their most vulnerable members and foster a safe environment for all.
As this story develops, it serves as a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in all sectors, especially within our places of worship. The community’s response will play a critical role in ensuring justice for the victims and restoring trust in church leadership.