Former Ohio Missionary Indicted on Federal Child Sex Abuse Charges After Admitting to Molesting 30 Haitian Children Over 15 Years

Christian Aid Ministries accused of keeping alleged abuser in field after 2013 confession
A federal grand jury has indicted former Holmes County missionary Jeriah Mast on four counts of illicit sexual conduct with minors in Haiti, where authorities say he admitted to molesting approximately 30 children across more than 30 mission trips spanning nearly two decades.
Mast, who was arrested November 5, faces arraignment Thursday in Cleveland federal court. If convicted, he could receive up to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release, according to federal sentencing guidelines.
Systematic Abuse Across Multiple Trips
Court documents reveal Mast targeted minors during at least four separate Haiti visits between 2002 and 2019, though his alleged admissions suggest a far broader pattern of exploitation. In interviews with a Holmes County detective and FBI agent following his initial 2019 indictment, Mast reportedly confessed to sexually abusing children throughout his approximately 15-year missionary career and identified victims from multiple trips.
Many of Mast’s journeys were affiliated with Christian Aid Ministries, an Ohio-based organization that has come under fire for its handling of the allegations. Advocacy groups claim ministry leadership knew of Mast’s 2013 confession to sexual misconduct yet allowed him to continue working in vulnerable communities.
Institutional Failure Alleged
The case has drawn scrutiny to Christian Aid Ministries’ accountability structures. According to victim advocates, the organization not only failed to remove Mast from his position but allegedly pressured victims to avoid external prosecution.
In response to mounting criticism, Christian Aid Ministries placed two managers on administrative leave and announced staffing changes and “updated training” protocols. The organization has not publicly addressed specific questions about its 2013 knowledge of Mast’s admitted behavior or why he remained in the mission field for six additional years.
“These cases expose a troubling pattern in mission work where institutional reputation is prioritized over child safety,” said a child protection advocate familiar with international missionary accountability. “When organizations handle abuse allegations internally without involving law enforcement, they effectively strand victims in communities with no recourse.”
Legal Trajectory
Mast’s case moved to federal jurisdiction following his November arrest, superseding the 2019 Holmes County charges that first brought his admissions to light. He is currently represented by a public defender.
Federal prosecutors are leveraging the extraterritorial jurisdiction statute that allows U.S. prosecution of citizens who engage in sexual conduct with minors abroad. Each of the four counts carries significant sentencing weight, though prosecutors have not indicated whether additional charges will be filed given Mast’s reported admission of 30 victims.
Broader Implications
The indictment arrives amid growing calls for reform in American mission-sending organizations, particularly those operating in countries with limited child protective infrastructure. Haiti, where Mast allegedly committed his crimes, ranks among the world’s most vulnerable nations for child exploitation, according to international development indexes.
Legal experts note that while the federal charges represent progress, they also highlight enforcement gaps: Mast allegedly confessed to crimes involving dozens of children yet faces charges related to only four specific incidents—a common challenge in international abuse cases where evidence gathering is complex and victims may be unreachable.
For now, Haitian advocacy groups are working to identify additional victims and connect them with support services. The FBI has established a tip line for anyone with information about Mast’s activities.
Mast’s federal arraignment Thursday will mark the next phase in a case that victims’ rights advocates hope will set precedent for how U.S.-based mission organizations handle internal abuse reports.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said one Haitian community leader who requested anonymity to protect local victims. “But finally, the world is watching.”