GASTONIA, N.C. — A Gaston County man suspected of having child porn is back behind bars in the U.S. after fleeing to Asia, Channel 9's partners at the Gaston Gazette reported.
Jason Clemmer, 41, of Belmont, escaped to Seoul, South Korea, days before his trial. Clemmer is accused of 25 counts of exploitation of a minor and could spend decades in jail if convicted.
After spending a year in jail, Clemmer's family posted his $150,000 bail in November.
Clemmer missed his Aug. 8 court date, and investigators found that his passport had been used in New York on Aug. 3 on a flight to South Korea, Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell said.
U.S. Marshals brought Clemmer back to the U.S. and put him in the custody of Gaston County Sheriff’s deputies.
It's the first time that prosecutors or police in Gaston County have needed to conduct an international extradition.
Clemmer is charged with convincing a then-15-year-old girl to send lewd pictures of herself to him. He is also charged with the possession of child porn.
He is facing 52 years in prison if he is found guilty on all counts.
He agreed last year to take a plea and accept 10 years in prison, then changed his mind.
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