BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — June 15, 2026 — Andreozzi + Foote has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a survivor who alleges he was repeatedly groomed and sexually abused by former Central Christian Church youth pastor, Thomas G. Pinkerton Jr., between 2006 and 2010.
The lawsuit names both Pinkerton and Central Christian Assembly, Inc. as defendants and alleges the church failed to intervene to protect the survivor, despite reports of Pinkerton’s predatory behavior from other parents and staff members.
Pinkerton is currently incarcerated following criminal proceedings arising from allegations that he sexually abused six victims. On June 8, 2026, he pleaded guilty in Baltimore County Circuit Court to one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, a felony offense. He is currently awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for December 14, 2026.
According to the lawsuit, the survivor was 15 years old when the alleged abuse began. At the time, he and his family were active members of Central Christian Church in Rossville, Maryland, and the church’s youth group provided a sense of social and spiritual community during his teenage years.
The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff trusted Pinkerton because of his position as a youth pastor and leader within the church’s youth group. According to the complaint, Central Christian presented Pinkerton as a trusted religious leader who could be trusted to mentor and supervise youth.
According to the lawsuit, Pinkerton “targeted and isolated [the victim] within the youth group, engaging in a pattern of grooming behavior that included targeted favoritism, inappropriate whispers, and unsolicited physical contact, such as ‘massages.’ To lower [his] defenses and maintain control, Defendant Pinkerton deceptively framed this abusive and inappropriate behavior as ‘brotherly’ affection.”
According to the lawsuit, the church permitted these regular, one-on-one interactions to occur without implementing reasonable oversight, boundaries, or monitoring protocols, leaving Pinkerton completely unsupervised with the victim. The complaint alleges that between 2006 and 2010, Pinkerton used his position as a youth pastor to groom and repeatedly sexually abuse the plaintiff multiple times at the church property, at his residence, and during trips to Georgia.
The lawsuit further alleges that the church had actual knowledge regarding Pinkerton’s dangerous behavior.
“Specifically, in 2008, Plaintiff’s grandfather explicitly reported serious concerns regarding Defendant Pinkerton’s conduct to the Church’s lead pastor. Furthermore, multiple other parents and Church staff members noticed [his] predator behavior towards younger boys and likewise reported those concerns to the lead pastor.”
Despite these explicit reports, the suit alleges that the church ignored the warnings, failed to investigate or intervene, allowing the abuse to continue for years. The complaint alleges that the survivor continues to suffer significant emotional and psychological harm as a result of the abuse.
“This case is about more than the actions of one youth pastor,” Benjamin Andreozzi, Partner, Andreozzi + Foote said. “The lawsuit alleges that warning signs were brought to church leadership and that meaningful action was never taken to protect children from further harm. Institutional accountability means asking whether those responsible for protecting children took appropriate action when concerns were raised.”
The lawsuit asserts claims against Central Christian Assembly for negligent, grossly negligent, and reckless hiring, retention, and supervision; general negligence; and gross negligence and recklessness. The complaint also asserts claims against Pinkerton for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The case was filed pursuant to Maryland’s Child Victims Act, which allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to pursue civil claims regardless of when the abuse occurred.
Andreozzi + Foote encourages anyone with information regarding Thomas Pinkerton or similar misconduct involving Central Christian Church to contact the firm to learn more about their legal rights and options.
About Andreozzi + Foote
Andreozzi + Foote is one of the nation’s leading sexual abuse law firms with a history of representing survivors in cases against large and powerful organizations including Penn State University, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Catholic Church. The trauma-informed sexual abuse lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote are committed to obtaining life-changing results for victims and their families.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Maria Smith
Andreozzi + Foote
4503 N Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Email: marias@vca.law
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Image sources: Thomas Pinkerton, courtesy of the Baltimore County Police Department. Google Street View of Central Christian in Baltimore, MD, © Google, via Google Maps.
