Former Ohio Missionary Pleads Guilty To Sexually Abusing Two Boys In Haiti — As His Earlier Admission About Other Children And A Controversial Decision Helped Trigger A Renewed Federal Investigation

Legal proceedings involving a former Ohio missionary have concluded with a guilty plea on federal charges stemming from criminal conduct during international mission trips.

1. The Guilty Plea and Charges

Jeriah Mast, a former missionary affiliated with Ohio-based ministries, entered a guilty plea in federal court regarding severe accusations tied to his overseas travel.

  • Foreign Sexual Conduct: Mast faced federal indictment counts for engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors during multiple missionary trips to Haiti over a span of several years.
  • Prior Convictions: The federal case followed separate state-level convictions in Ohio, where Mast had previously been prosecuted and imprisoned for historical sex offenses against minors.

    Ohio ex-missionary pleads guilty to sexually abusing minors | Pittsburgh  Post-GazetteFormer missionary for Christian Aid Ministries sentenced to 9 years for  sexual abuse | Local News | lancasteronline.com

2. Institutional Fallout and Background

The case prompted swift distance and condemnation from the religious organizations and communities tied to his past work.
  • Organizational Distance: Christian Aid Ministries and related groups publicly addressed the revelations, removing references to the former worker and cooperating fully with federal investigators.
  • Next Legal Steps: Following the entry of his guilty plea in the federal court system, Mast faces a lengthy prison sentence as prosecutors and victims’ advocates push for accountability.