GEORGIA () – A pastor affiliated with the House of Prayer Christian Church of America (HOPCC) has been charged by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia with various sex offenses involving a minor.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Southern District of Georgia office, Bernadel Semexant, 35, of Hinesville and Savannah, Georgia, faces charges including 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.

The five-count indictment was unsealed by the federal court on September 10th.

Officials indicate that Semexant might have been employed at several HOPCC locations across the U.S., with HOPCC having branches in areas such as Hephzibah, Georgia; Hinesville, Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Tacoma, Washington; Waco, Texas; and Clarksville, Tennessee, among others.

This indictment follows a federal raid conducted on September 10th at a home in the West Lake subdivision. Rony Denis, the founder of HOPCC, was consequently taken into custody and is currently held in the Jefferson County Jail. 

The FBI is seeking victim information related to the House of Prayer.

“If you or your family member have been affected by key management personnel of HOPCC or possess information pertinent to this investigation, please complete this short form.“