Ex-NTU researcher pleads guilty to possessing child abuse material, asking to have sex with 12-year-old girls
The 49-year-old was exposed after his mobile phone was seized for investigation over an unrelated matter.
Jason Scott Herrin arrives at the State Courts in Singapore on Mar 18, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
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SINGAPORE: A researcher at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) who had obscene photos of children and had offered money to have sex with young girls was exposed when the authorities seized his phone over a separate matter.
The phone of Jason Scott Herrin contained 90 photos of children being sexually abused and 31 obscene films.
The 49-year-old American, who has since been fired by the university, was also revealed to have told others to find children for him for the purposes of paid sexual services.
The NTU Principal Research Fellow was slated to contest his charges but pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial on Monday (Mar 18).
He pleaded guilty to one count each of possessing child abuse material and communicating with another person for the purpose of obtaining the sexual services of a person under 18. Another two counts of a similar nature will be considered for his sentencing, which has been adjourned.
The court heard that Herrin's phone was seized on Aug 17, 2020 over a police report made on an unrelated matter which was not revealed in court documents.
When his phone was sent for forensic examination, the obscene photographs were unearthed.
About 90 photographs constituted child abuse material, with naked girls featured in compromising positions. Herrin had downloaded these photographs from a few websites and had been downloading such material since 2019, according to the prosecution.
Apart from photographs, Herrin's phone also contained 31 obscene films. This charge will be considered for sentencing.
Investigators also found WhatsApp messages between Herrin and an unknown person on Nov 14, 2019, where Herrin offered four million rupiah (S$340) for sex with 12-year-old girls.
NTU told CNA on Monday that it had sacked Herrin on Apr 7, 2022, when the offences came to light.
Herrin is due to return to court on May 17.
For communicating with another person to obtain sexual services of a minor, Herrin can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both per charge.
For possessing child abuse material, he can be jailed up to five years, and fined or caned.
