A Jacksonville pastor is behind bars after city investigators say he groomed and sexually abused two teenage boys tied to his church and a school mentorship program, with one case reaching back to the 2021–22 school year. Court documents identify the suspect as 65-year-old Anthony Doyle, who is listed as the pastor of Friendship Primitive Baptist Church.
Pastor’s Role At Friendship Primitive Baptist
The website for Friendship Primitive Baptist Church names Anthony Doyle as the church’s pastor and spiritual leader, confirming his role with the Jacksonville congregation.
Arrest And Charges
According to News4JAX, Doyle was arrested on June 22 and is charged with one count of sexual battery, a first-degree felony, and one count of lewd or lascivious molestation, a second-degree felony. Investigators filed the charges after reviewing statements from two juvenile alleged victims along with related court records.
Investigators’ Allegations And Earlier Case
The arrest report cited by News4JAX states that a detective was assigned on May 28 to look into a lewd molestation allegation involving a juvenile churchgoer. The teen reported that Doyle grabbed his butt under his clothing and kissed him on the neck and cheek.
Investigators say Doyle built what the report calls a grooming pattern, allegedly giving the teen about $20 after each service and telling him, “You’re my favorite,” before the physical contact escalated. The teen ultimately stopped attending services.
The same report says detectives then reopened a separate sexual battery case tied to the 2021–22 school year. In that earlier allegation, Doyle was working as a school security guard and leading a “5000 Role Models” after-school mentorship program when he allegedly lured a high school student to a Jacksonville residence, sexually battered him, threatened him, and gave him about $150 afterward, according to court documents.
Mentorship Program And Local Context
The “5000 Role Models” initiative mentioned in the records is a long-running mentorship effort in Duval County schools that pairs adult mentors with teen boys to provide academic and life guidance, as described by WJCT. Local schools and community partners have used the program for events, support services, and scholarship opportunities.
Legal Note
The charges outlined by investigators are felonies under Florida law and can carry lengthy prison terms, strict supervision, and mandatory sex offender registration if proven in court. Chapter 794 of the Florida Statutes defines sexual battery offenses and the felony levels prosecutors may pursue.
According to the arrest paperwork, Doyle voluntarily went to the Police Memorial Building to speak with detectives and denied the more serious sexual battery allegation. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office states that it moved forward with the arrest based on the totality of the circumstances. The case remains under active review by local investigators and the State Attorney’s Office.
