Former Baltimore County Youth Pastor Pleads Guilty to Sex Abuse Charge
ROSEDALE–For years, "Pastor Tommy" Pinkerton cultivated an image as a devoted youth pastor and “spiritual father” to the teens in his church group. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to a sex offense, coming a step closer to resolving one of several felony charges stemming from allegations by former youth group members.
Thomas Pinkerton Jr., 52, of Winder, Ga., entered a guilty plea to one felony charge of sexual abuse of a minor before Circuit Court Judge Marc DeSimone.
As part of the plea agreement, DeSimone agreed to hand down a 25-year suspended sentence, with up to four years of active jail time. State sentencing guidelines for Pinkerton, who has no prior criminal history, are four to nine years in prison.
Pinkerton's attorney, Justin Hollimon, will be free to argue at sentencing for less than four years of prison time. The suspended sentence means Pinkerton could face 21 additional years in prison if he violates the terms of his five-year probation after his incarceration.
Pinkerton, who served on the staff of Central Christian Church on Rossville Boulevard more than 15 years ago, had left the Rosedale-area church to start his own ministry at the time of his arrest in Georgia, according to a statement issued by Central Christian.
During his time at Central, he built a reputation as a charismatic, fun-loving leader with a "magnetic" personality. But people police interviewed said he favored the most attractive, athletic boys.
“The favorites would sit closer to Pinkerton, ride with him to places for church events in the church van, and spend more time with Pinkerton,” an investigator from the Baltimore County Police Department wrote in charging documents.
In the fall of 2024, former members of the youth group started coming forward and agreeing to interviews, telling police Pinkerton’s affection eventually evolved into sexual abuse. The abuse happened from 2006 to 2010, Baltimore County police said, and involved multiple victims. The youngest alleged victim was 13 years old at the time.
Sentencing is set for December 14 following a psychosexual evaluation. Pinkerton will continue to be jailed without bond.
Pinkerton was arrested Aug. 6, 2025 and initially pleaded not guilty. Under the plea agreement, all but one of his charges will be dismissed.
His alleged victims said he frequently greeted boys by kissing them on the lips in ways some would later describe as feeling more romantic than fatherly.
He would also wrestle with the boys, give them massages, and touch their genitals in a “joking manner,” victims reported.
One man told an investigator the touching when he was a teen did not seem to be sexual at the time, but said that this joking behavior “normalized the genital contact and led to what later occurred.”
Pinkerton only behaved this way with the boys of the group, the now-adult men told police.
A total of seven men reported Pinkerton abusing them, according to charging documents. Six said the abuse occurred in Baltimore County, and another man reported abuse that allegedly happened to him in Georgia.
Some victims said Pinkerton would molest them in his home on the 5100 block of Strawbridge Terrace when Pinkerton’s wife and children were away. On mission trips, victims reported, Pinkerton would have the boys sleep with him in his bed while Pinkerton’s wife stayed with the girls elsewhere.
Per the terms of his plea, Pinkerton will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
“This news is deeply heartbreaking," Larry Kirk, Lead Pastor of Central Christian, wrote in the public statement at the time of the arrest. “We are committed to walking alongside these young men with compassion and support.”
The church said it offered counseling and spiritual support those imapcted by the alleged abuse and fully cooperated with the law enforcement investigation.
"There is absolutely no place for abuse - ever - in the church," Kirk wrote.