An Ohio missionary has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the sexual abuse of minors in Haiti while on missionary trips to the Caribbean nation. Jeriah Mast, 45, from Millersburg, Ohio, entered his plea on Tuesday to two counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors in Haiti, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Details of the Case
Court documents indicate that Mast traveled to Haiti multiple times between 2002 and 2019, during which time he was affiliated with Christian Aid Ministries (CAM). Investigators uncovered flight records revealing that he made more than 30 trips from the United States to Haiti between November 2002 and August 2018, during which he committed the abuse.
Mast is scheduled for sentencing on December 15, 2026. A. Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, stating that the plea demonstrates the department’s dedication to holding U.S. citizens responsible for exploiting children abroad.
“This type of predatory conduct—committed by someone entrusted with missionary work—represents a profound betrayal of trust,” Duva said, noting that the guilty plea is an important step toward justice for the numerous victims affected by Mast’s actions.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio echoed these sentiments, condemning Mast’s behavior as a violation of both the children and the communities supporting his missionary efforts. “This defendant violated the innocence of children and violated the trust of those who supported his supposed missionary work,” Toepfer stated. “It is reprehensible behavior that we will prosecute to the fullest.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) highlighted that the case exemplifies the agency’s commitment to pursuing individuals who exploit children, even when the crimes occur outside U.S. borders. Jared Murphey, special agent in charge of HSI Detroit, affirmed that the defendant’s guilty plea reinforces HSI’s mission to investigate those who exploit children, particularly those in positions of authority.
The investigation was conducted by HSI Cleveland, with notable support from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio. The prosecution is being managed by the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Why It Matters
This case highlights the ongoing issue of child exploitation in international contexts and the responsibilities held by individuals in positions of authority, especially in vulnerable communities. The guilty plea serves as a reminder of the critical need for vigilance and accountability in safeguarding minors from sexual abuse.
