Controversial ex-blogger Amos Yee paroled after serving half of 6-year term
By Ryan General
A Singaporean convicted in the U.S. of grooming a 14-year-old girl from Texas has been released on parole after serving three years of his six-year sentence.
Political asylee: Amos Yee, 24, is a former blogger, YouTuber and child actor who was involved in multiple controversies over his criticisms of religious institutions and founding leader Lee Kuan Yew. He was arrested and convicted in 2015 and 2016 over charges that included “intention of wounding the religious feelings of Christians,” obscenity and “threatening, abusive or insulting communication.”
He was granted asylum in the U.S. in 2017, a year after applying. At the time, Immigration Judge Samuel B. Cole ruled that Yee faced persecution in Singapore for his political opinions.
U.S. controversies: While in the U.S., Yee sparked controversy for supporting pedophilia in videos and blog posts. In 2018, YouTube removed his YouTube channel for violating community guidelines, while Twitter suspended his account. His Patreon account was also shut down shortly after.
Yee was 20 years old and living in Chicago, Illinois, in 2019 when he maintained an online relationship with a 14-year-old girl from Texas, despite her repeatedly bringing up her age in messages. During this period, they exchanged thousands of messages, including explicit photos. The girl eventually reached out to a group focused on exposing predatory behavior.
Yee’s arrest and sentencing: In 2020, he was arrested for grooming and exchanging explicit photos with a minor.
As part of a plea deal, Yee pleaded guilty to one charge each of grooming and possessing child pornography, resulting in the dismissal of 16 other charges. He was sentenced to six years in prison, which he began serving in Dec. 2021. However, he was released on parole on Oct. 7, three years ahead of the previously projected discharge date.
Uncertain future: Yee was warned during sentencing that pleading guilty could lead to deportation and denial of admission or naturalization as a U.S. citizen.
The convictions could also affect his housing, employment and licensing prospects. Should he be deported back to Singapore, he may face prosecution for breaching the compulsory military service, which he defaulted on when he left for the U.S. in 2016.
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