A former principal research fellow at Nanyang Technological
University (NTU), Jason Scott Herrin, was sentenced to six months in jail on
February 28 for possessing obscene photos of children. The 50-year-old
American, who has since been fired from NTU, pleaded guilty to one count of
possessing child abuse material. Three other charges, including communicating
with another person to offer 12-year-old girls money for sexual services and
possessing 31 obscene films, were taken into consideration during sentencing.
The case came to light in 2020 when Herrin’s phone was
seized by the Police following an unrelated report. A forensic examination of
the device revealed 90 obscene photographs depicting girls in various states of
undress. Investigations showed that Herrin had been downloading such material
since 2019. Deputy Public Prosecutor Sheldon Lim noted that while Herrin’s
guilty plea was a mitigating factor, it came late in the legal process, after
significant delays. Herrin was first charged in January 2022 and initially
intended to contest the charges. However, he pleaded guilty on the first day of
his trial on March 18, 2023, only to retract the plea later, leading to the
recent hearing.
Herrin’s lawyer, Sukhmit Singh, argued in mitigation that
his client had downloaded the material solely for personal consumption and had
not distributed or uploaded it, unlike other offenders. Singh also highlighted
Herrin’s “stellar reputation” and his diagnosis of persistent depressive
disorder, stating that a psychiatrist had assessed his risk of reoffending as
low. However, DPP Lim countered that the psychiatric report did not establish a
causal link between Herrin’s condition and the offenses. Singh further claimed
that the prolonged investigation process had caused significant suffering for
Herrin and that the prosecution’s failure to provide necessary documents and
tapes had delayed the case.
The sentencing hearing also saw a brief dispute over
Herrin’s bail conditions. Herrin requested a four-week deferment of his jail
term to settle work and lease matters. His lawyer sought to keep the bail
amount at $20,00 while the prosecution argued for an increase to $40,000,
citing the lengthy proceedings and Herrin’s ample time to prepare. Singh
emphasized that Herrin would likely leave Singapore after serving his sentence
and needed time to resolve personal matters. He also criticized the prosecution
for delays in disclosing documents.
Principal District Judge Toh Yung Cheong acknowledged that
it was common to increase bail amounts for foreigners with fewer ties to
Singapore. He also noted that the requested four-week deferment was unusually
long. Ultimately, the parties agreed to increase Herrin’s bail by S$10,000 and
reduce the deferment period. Herrin will surrender on March 7 to begin his jail
term.
The case highlights the serious consequences of possessing
child abuse material, even for individuals with professional reputations.
Herrin’s actions not only violated the law but also betrayed the trust placed
in him as a researcher at a prestigious institution. The sentence serves as a
reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and the severe
penalties for exploiting vulnerable individuals.
As Herrin prepares to serve his sentence, the case underscores the need for vigilance in combating child exploitation and the role of the legal system in holding offenders accountable. The prosecution’s efforts to ensure justice, despite delays, reflect the commitment to protecting children and maintaining public trust in institutions. The outcome also emphasizes the importance of timely legal processes and transparency in handling sensitive cases.
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