Court Cases
Ex-NTU researcher pleads guilty to possessing child abuse material
Former NTU scientist pleaded guilty to charges involving attempted commercial sex with minors and possession of child abuse material. Investigations unveiled disturbing evidence, including 31 obscene films and 90 photographs of child abuse found on his phone.
SINGAPORE: A former researcher at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has been embroiled in a disturbing case involving attempts to engage in commercial sex with minors.
Jason Scott Herrin, 49, held the position of principal research fellow at NTU during the periods of the offences, spanning 2019 and 2020.
Investigations revealed that Herrin had sent messages to foreign mobile numbers, attempting to arrange sexual encounters with children as young as 12 years old.
Herrin was also found in possession of 31 obscene films and 90 photographs depicting child abuse.
On 18 March 2024, Herrin, an American national, pleaded guilty to two charges – communicating with another individual for the purpose of soliciting commercial sex with a minor under 18, and possession of child abuse material.
Additionally, two other charges were taken into consideration for sentencing.
Former NTU scientist’s court case reveals disturbing phone contents
In a recent court session, it was disclosed that Herrin’s phone was confiscated on 17 August 2020, following a police report unrelated to the ongoing case.
However, the specifics of this report were not revealed during proceedings.
Subsequent forensic analysis of the device uncovered a disturbing cache of content.
Forensic experts revealed the discovery of approximately 90 photographs depicting child abuse material on Herrin’s phone.
These photographs depicted naked girls in compromising positions.
Prosecutors asserted that Herrin had actively downloaded such material from various websites since 2019, painting a damning picture of his actions.
Additionally, Herrin’s phone contained 31 obscene films, adding gravity to the charges against him.
These findings will be factored into the sentencing process.
Investigators also uncovered damning WhatsApp messages exchanged between Herrin and an unidentified individual on 14 November 2019.
Herrin was reported to have sent WhatsApp messages to foreign numbers, offering monetary incentives for sexual services to minors.
In these messages, Herrin offered a sum of four million rupiahs (S$340) in exchange for engaging in sexual activities and two million rupiahs (S$170) for sex acts, with 12-year-old girls, underscoring the severity of his offences.
Similarly, on 18 February 2020, another message indicated Herrin’s intent to procure sexual services from a child for a high price.
Responding to queries, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) confirmed that Herrin’s employment was terminated on 7 April 2022, upon discovery of the offences.
NTU spokesperson said that the university has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct.
Herrin is scheduled to appear in court again on 17 May to face the consequences of his actions.
Herrin faces serious legal repercussions for his crimes. For the charge of soliciting sexual services from a minor, he could potentially face a maximum penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Furthermore, for the possession of child abuse material, Herrin could be jailed up to five years, and fined or caned.
Notice to Our Readers: Moving Back to The Online Citizen
Construction worker dies in Changi worksite accident; Driver arrested
Consumers Association of Singapore fined S$20,000 for PDPA breaches following two data security incidents
Singapore’s Yip Pin Xiu secures historic three-peat at Paris Paralympics
Jamus Lim on Minister Chee Hong Tat’s remarks on fiscal policy: Calls for genuine debate over rhetoric
Philippine migrant group in SG hosts successful blood donation drive
China’s ex-convict jailed six years in Singapore for S$6.7M crypto scam
Chee Hong Tat’s call for fiscal prudence rings hollow amid contradictory government spending
UN food agency halts operations in Gaza after vehicle shot by Israeli forces
KL City Hall cancels National Day event following sinkhole incident
Swiss court convicts 2 executives for embezzling S$1.8 billion from 1MDB
American national? SG courts system goyang. White house make one call all the MIW will take panadol. Guarantee no caning also maybe just fine and deport.
Hahaha another FT, managed to enter Singapore because his employer and ICA were sleeping on the job. If you attract money laundering, you also attract vices. The Ministers in charge should be replaced as this one has been let in too close to our children.
Unis should check thoroughly whether these Foreign Trashes have permanent head damage and horny tendencies to prey on innocent girls
Foreign (paedophile) Talent???
Whip his backsides few strokes to make him remember Singapore and our Singapore’s “souvenir”.
SGov must also show to the world that although Singapore is small, we mean business, serious business, when come to laws. In front of Singapore’s laws, everyone is equal and there should not be any favourism of a nationality over the others.