Ohio Man Charged with Sexual Abuse of Children in the Caribbean

CLEVELAND – A Holmes County man who traveled internationally to sexually abuse children abroad now faces federal charges.

On Dec. 2, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Jeriah Mast, 44, of Millersburg, Ohio, with attempted and actual engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place.

The indictment alleges that on at least four separate occasions—2004, 2007, and twice in 2011— Mast embarked on trips to the Caribbean and sexually abused minors.

As outlined in the original federal criminal complaint filed Nov. 4, 2025, Mast repeatedly traveled to Haiti, during which time he both attempted and engaged in illicit sexual conduct with minors. Foreign travel records obtained by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) show that Mast took more than 30 flights from the United States to Haiti.

Mast faces a penalty of up to 30 years in prison and $250,000 in fines per count if convicted. He also faces up to a lifetime of supervised release after imprisonment. His sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, his role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.

“As alleged, this defendant traveled abroad to commit heinous, unspeakable crimes against vulnerable children living in an impoverished nation,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “Despite the fact that the defendant’s alleged crimes occurred abroad, our law enforcement partners and prosecutors will continue to relentlessly seek justice on behalf of the minor victims.  Wherever the Criminal Division has jurisdiction, we are committed to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in the intolerable crime of abusing and exploiting children.”

“Crimes against children, like those mentioned in these allegations, are reprehensible. Such appalling and morally corrupt behavior will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio.  “We commend the work of Homeland Security Investigations and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, whose thorough work led to these federal charges being filed today.”

“This case highlights the vital role HSI plays in identifying and investigating individuals—especially those in positions of trust—who exploit children, regardless of where these heinous crimes occur,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Stentz. “HSI Cleveland, in collaboration with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Justice, worked diligently to ensure that those who prey on children abroad are held accountable here in the United States. We remain steadfast in our commitment to pursuing justice for victims and ensuring that predators face the full weight of the law wherever our investigations lead.”

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by HSI and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret Kane and Jennifer King are leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio, with assistance from Trial Attorney Jessica Urban of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Anyone with knowledge and information about this case may call the HSI tip line at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP or visit report.cybertip.org.

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