A 45-year-old U.S. missionary has pleaded guilty to charges related to the sexual abuse of minors in Haiti. The individual, identified as Jeriah Mast from Millersburg, Ohio, is scheduled for sentencing on December 15 of this year.
Details of the Case
Court documents reveal that Mast engaged in illicit sexual conduct with minors during multiple trips to Haiti between 2002 and 2019. His travels included time spent with the organization Christian Aid Ministries, where the abuse allegedly occurred.
Law enforcement officials noted that they had access to flight records, which indicated that Mast took over 30 flights from the United States to Haiti from November 2002 to August 2018. These records substantiate his repeated presence in the country during the timeframe in which the abuse was reported.
Assistant Attorney General Andrew Tysen Duva from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division commented on the case, highlighting that Mast’s guilty plea underscores both the seriousness of his actions and the federal commitment to holding U.S. citizens accountable for exploiting children abroad.
This case is a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006. The initiative aims to address and combat the growing issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse across the United States and beyond.
The upcoming sentencing will determine the legal consequences faced by Mast following his admission of guilt to the charges against him.
This case highlights the critical issue of child sexual exploitation, particularly in humanitarian contexts. It underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability for individuals who take advantage of vulnerable populations, emphasizing ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat such abuses through initiatives like Project Safe Childhood.
