NTU Researcher Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Abuse Material & Buying Sexual Favours from Minors

A 49-year-old American science researcher at NTU (Nanyang Technological University), who had previously been accused of possessing child-abuse material and offering money to a twelve-year-old girl to have sex with him, has recently pleaded guilty to these claims.

He was convicted of these charges back in January 2022 during an investigation on a separate matter.

According to CNA, the charges are for possessing 90 photographs of child abuse material and 31 obscene video files in a Condominium in Chestnut Avenue in August 2020.

He was also charged with two counts of communicating with another person to obtain sexual favors from a minor. 

Furthermore, it was reported that he had been sending messages to another person in November 2019, trying to tell the person to coerce 12-year-old girls into having sex with him for four million Rupiah, which is about S$341. 

According to CNA back in 2022, a spokesperson from NTU mentioned that he had been suspended and barred from going onto University campus pending the outcome of the Court proceedings; no further comment was provided, seeing that it was still an ongoing investigation then. 

Pleaded Guilty Instead of Contesting His Charges

He was supposed to contest his criminal charges on 18 March, his first day of trial, but pleaded guilty.

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 minor.

His next hearing, which has been adjourned for the time being, will consider another two counts of a similar nature.

As stated by Criminal Law Singapore,  a person of or above 18 years of age who intentionally transmits sexually explicit content to a minor below 16 years of age for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification or causing humiliation, alarm or distress to the said minor, shall be guilty of an offense of sexual communication with a minor.

This means that if he is convicted of sexual exploitation of a child or young person, and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to an imprisonment term not exceeding 5 years, or to both. 

Furthermore, for communicating with another person to obtain sexual services of a minor, he can be jailed up to two years, fined, or both per charge. And the penalties for possessing child abuse material are a jail term of up to five years and a fine or caning.

If you, or someone you know, is involved in abuse or abuse of this nature, seek help by contacting the National Anti-Violence & Sexual Harassment Helpline at 1800-777-0000.