PSU Chemistry Professor Faces 35 Counts Of CHILD PORN

Another day, another scandal in liberal enclave Portland. Niles Lehman, a science professor at Portland State University, has been arrested and charged with 35 counts of producing child porn.

According to court records, the indictment was handed down in February, followed by the issuance of an arrest warrant, which was served on February 22nd, with his arraignment taking place that same day.

He posted $25,000 bail and was released. Apparently he is on paid administrative leave. Yes, student tuition and citizen tax dollars are still going to him.

Willamette Week reports:

A Portland State University chemistry professor was placed on paid leave after being arrested for 35 criminal charges related to encouraging child sex abuse that stem from allegations that he distributed and viewed child pornography.

Niles Lehman, who has a Ph.D. from UCLA, was arrested on Feb. 21, according to court records.

According to a Portland State tweet from 2018, he was recognized as the 2018 Oregon Scientist of the Year by the Oregon Academy of Science for research related to the origins of life on Earth.

Lehman faces 35 charges laid out in an extensive indictment. Twenty-nine charges allege he “did unlawfully and knowingly develop, duplicate, publish, print, disseminate, exchange, display, finance, attempt to finance, and sell a visual recording of sexually explicit conduct involving a child.” The other six charges allege he possessed or viewed child pornography.

According to court records, the allegations date back to October 2017 and span a full year, to September 2018.

The Oregonian adds:

Lehman, 56, of Portland, posted bail in March, Oregon court records show. A judge ordered him to be placed on GPS monitoring, surrender his passport, stay off the Internet, and avoid children and places where they’re likely to gather, the documents said.

When court staff interviewed Lehman in February to help determine whether he should be released, he didn’t mention working for Portland State University, court records show. He said he has a Ph.D. and sometimes drove for Lyft, DoorDash and Postmates.

In a statement Tuesday, Portland State University confirmed Lehman is on paid administrative leave and that the school is cooperating with the police investigation and is “very concerned about the charges.”

“It’s certainly upsetting that there are accusations that a PSU employee engaged in illegal and improper conduct, which is reflected in the charges against Professor Lehman,” the statement said.

Kenny Ma, a university spokesman, declined to comment further on the case, including when Lehman was placed on leave.

Lehman won the 2018 “Outstanding Oregon Scientist” award by the Oregon Academy of Science. Lehman has also received grant money for his studies into where life began, and he is still lauded on the PSU website, as well as the student newspaper site. He’s also given presentations on his studies.

His next court date is scheduled for May 20th.

 

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