GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A man accused of having child porn in Gaston County fled to South Korea two weeks ago, and his family wants him to return and turn himself in.
Jason Clemmer's stepfather is upset he didn’t show up for his trial.
"This is devastating us,” Nick Barrett said. “We are going to lose everything."
Barrett and his wife are counting down the days until a bail bondsman comes and takes almost everything they own.
"I don't know how we are going to survive," Barrett said.
Two years ago, Gastonia police charged his wife's son, Jason Clemmer, with trading child porn online and convincing a 15-year-old girl to send him nude pictures of herself.
The images of young children were so graphic, prosecutors have called the case the worst of the worst they have ever seen.
Clemmer's parents knew the evidence was overwhelming but they weren't convinced that Clemmer was guilty, even after he pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement and then changed his mind.
They put up their house and two vehicles as collateral on a $150,000 bond.
"At least let him have a little time before he had to go, not sitting in jail," Barrett said.
Police said days before the trial, Clemmer got on a plane in New York headed for South Korea.
If Jason Clemmer doesn't turn himself in within 150 days, the bail bonding company is liable. Then, they can take the house, vehicles and any property totaling $150,000.
Barrett and his wife have disabilities and serious health problems. They hope Clemmer will step forward to help them, but they are losing faith.
Clemmer's parents said they forgive him no matter what happens.
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