Pastor in alleged cult charged with child sex crimes
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Authorities on Thursday announced another indictment related to the House of Prayer, a day after the church leader and seven others were rounded up.
This latest indictment – of Bernadel Semexant, 35, of Hinesville and Savannah – focuses on child sex crimes, while the ones Wednesday were more financial.
Semexant is charged with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, sexual abuse of a minor, transfer of obscene material to a minor, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
Semexant, a pastor with the church that some have called a cult and others have called a financial scam, may have worked at various church locations across the U.S., the Department of Justice said.
The church has locations in Augusta, Hinesville and Savannah in Georgia, as well as in North Carolina, Washington state, Texas and Tennessee.
Although the church has an Augusta location, it has no connection to the similarly named United House of Prayer with locations in Augusta and Dearing.
The FBI and the United States Attorneys Office are seeking additional information.
If you have information about Semexant or any other individual serving in a position of trust for the church, or have any information relevant to this investigation, you can fill out a short form at fbi.gov/SEMEXANTHOPCC.
On Wednesday morning, the FBI and Columbia County deputies raided a West Lake mansion at 3816 Honors Way, the home of the church leader.
He goes by the name Rony Denis, but federal authorities say he stole that identity in 1983, so they don’t know his true name.
He’s one of eight House of Prayer leaders indicted in various fraud schemes and tax charges. The department will announce the unsealing of the indictment at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
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