Gainesville pastor due in court after pleading not guilty to sexually assaulting teenager

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - A former pastor at Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church has a case management hearing scheduled after he was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

Christopher Whitehead, 35, was arrested for sexually assaulting the 15-year-old girl in July 2024. In March, Whitehead pled not guilty to charges of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious battery on a minor.

Gainesville Police officers say the 15-year-old from Tallahassee was visiting Gainesville for an event at Whitehead’s church. They say he asked the teen to sleep in his bed, which she agreed to.

Officers say Whitehead sexually assaulted the teen once she got into bed with him. They say she told Whitehead several times that she was uncomfortable.

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The next day, officers say the 15-year-old told Whitehead’s wife about the assault. She confronted him shortly after.

Whitehead never admitted to committing the assault, according to his arrest report. He pled not guilty in March.

Whitehead is facing charges of sexual battery on a minor and lewd and lascivious battery. Monday, an Alachua County judge will host a case management hearing for his case.

TV20 interviewed Whitehead in early 2024 for an event at Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church.

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