Jeriah Mast Indicted on Four Federal Counts of Sexual Abuse in Haiti

A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Ohio returned an indictment Jan. 31, 2026, charging 44-year-old Millersburg resident Jeriah Mast with four counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors in Haiti. Each count alleges sexual abuse of a different minor, with incidents cited in 2004, 2007 and 2011, and the indictment says Mast traveled to Haiti repeatedly between 2002 and 2019.

Prosecutors will pursue the case in federal court in Cleveland. Mast was arrested Nov. 5 and was later formally indicted; he is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in federal court in Cleveland. The charges focus on conduct that occurred overseas but fall under federal criminal jurisdiction because the defendant is a U.S. national accused of sexual conduct with minors abroad.

The indictment identifies four separate alleged victims. One of the incidents charged involves a 13-year-old boy Mast met through his missionary work and who was allegedly molested in a tent. The other counts likewise allege separate minors were victimized during Mast’s multiple trips to Haiti. The specific allegations span more than a decade, reflecting an extended period of alleged overseas activity rather than an isolated event.

For Holmes County residents, the case touches directly on local institutions and practices. Millersburg’s churches and volunteer groups commonly organize mission trips and overseas outreach, and allegations of this nature can erode trust among congregations, donors and volunteers. The indictment underscores the need for clearer safeguards: consistent background checks, formal supervision on trips, mandatory training for volunteers who work with children, and transparent reporting channels for suspicious conduct.

From a legal and policy perspective, federal prosecution of conduct abroad signals sustained attention by U.S. authorities to cross-border sexual abuse. Local leaders and nonprofit boards should view this indictment as a prompt to review policies and insurance practices, and to coordinate with law enforcement when allegations surface. Victim support and confidentiality should be priorities for community organizations responding to disclosures.

What happens next is procedural: Mast will appear for arraignment in Cleveland and federal prosecutors will move forward with the indictment. For readers, the immediate implications are clear - parents, church leaders and mission organizers in Holmes County should re-evaluate vetting and supervision protocols for overseas work and be prepared to assist or refer any potential victims to law enforcement. The case will also likely prompt local conversations about accountability and protection that extend beyond any single congregation or trip.