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

According tot he U .S. Department of Justice Southern District of Georgia’s office, Bernadel Semexant, 35, of Hinesville and Savannah, Georgia, was indicted on these charges: 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.

Authorities say that Semexant may have worked at multiple HOPCC locations around the United States, and HOPCC has locations in the following areas: Hephzibah, Georgia; Hinesville, Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Tacoma, Washington; Waco, Texas; and Clarksville, Tennessee; among others.

This indictment comes after a federal raid on September 10th at a residence in the West Lake subdivision, and Rony Denis, who is the founder of the HOPCC, was taken into custody and is in the Jefferson County Jail. 

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

“If you or a family member were victimized by key management personnel of HOPCC or have information relevant to this investigation, please fill out this short form.“