On April 19, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office received information of
sex crimes being committed against children in the Amish Community. An
investigation was initiated to look into these allegations. During the
course of the investigation, four victims have been identified in
Missouri, and one victim has been identified in Wisconsin. Of the four
victims in Missouri, two of them reside in the Pike County Amish
Community, one of the victims resides in Pike County, and one victim
resides in southwestern Missouri. The victim in Wisconsin resides in
the Wautoma  Amish Community. A suspect was identified early in the
investigation.

On May 28, Chester A. Mast, a 26 year old white
male from Curryville, MO, was arrested as a result of this
investigation. Prosecuting Attorney Mark S. Fisher has charged Chester
A. Mast with two counts of the Class C Felony of Statutory Rape (2nd
Degree), two counts of the Class C Felony of Statutory Sodomy (2nd
Degree), and one count of the Class D Felony of Sexual Misconduct
Involving a Child. The Honorable Judge David H. Ash has set Chester
Mast’s bond at $100,000 cash only. Scott C. Blader, the District
Attorney in Waushara County, Wisconsin, has issued a Criminal Warrant
on Chester A. Mast for Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child, and Incest.
There is no eligible bond on this warrant.

Sheriff Korte commended his Deputies, and thanks  the Hannibal
(MO) Police Department, the Waushara County (WI) Sheriff’s Office, and
The Child Center in Hannibal, MO for their assistance in this
investigation. Sheriff Korte also wishes to express his gratitude to
the Amish Community for their cooperation throughout this
investigation.