Former youth pastor arrested after allegedly sexually abusing at least 6 teens

This article is part of “Pastors and Prey,” an NBC News series investigating sex abuse allegations in the Assemblies of God.

Thomas Pinkerton Jr. used to tell children in his youth group in Maryland that it was normal for a pastor to kiss boys on the lips, because that’s how Jesus greeted his disciples, according to an arrest warrant made public last week.

Stream Los Angeles News for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE

Kissing was just the beginning, several men from Pinkerton’s former youth group told police.

Pinkerton, 52, a youth minister known as Pastor Tommy, is being held without bond following accusations that he sexually abused six teens from 2006 to 2010 while working at Central Christian Church, an Assemblies of God church in Baltimore County. He was extradited