NORWICH – Monday morning on March 7, 2016 Jaideep Singh and his attorney Scott Clippinger stood before Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. in Chenango County Court to answer to the rape charge against him.
District Attorney Joseph A. McBride was present in court to represent the people of Chenango County on this matter.
Singh, believed to be 27, originally from the country of India was first arrested back on Sept. 14, 2015 and charged with rape in the second degree, a class D felony; as well as endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.
After the the original arrest, Singh was indicted by a grand jury in the month of November, 2015.
The indictment read, “It’s alleged that Singh – on a day during the month of October in 2015 – did engage in sexual intercourse with a female less than 15 years old in North Norwich. The endangering the welfare charge accuses Singh of knowingly acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a person under the age of 17 but subjecting said person to sexual contact.”
It should be noted that the minor who was under the age of 15 at the time, did give birth to a child which is alleged to be Singh's child. Due to cultural differences these practices are acceptable in India but are illegal in the United States, which the District Attorney pointed out in court.
The last time Singh was in County Court, Public Defender John Cameron requested a translator be present for any further proceedings due to the language barrier.
Singh can allegedly only speak broken English instead is speaking Punjabi, a native language of Pakistan and India.
A translator was found and brought into Chenango County Court in order to continue the court process. The translator identified himself as Munir Syed, and spoke on behalf of Singh for the remainder of the court session.
“I have had extensive discussions with my client and at this time he wishes to enter a plea of guilty to rape in the second degree, a class D felony, he will be sentenced to one-year with time served,” said Clippinger. “In addition we are aware of the fact that the Department of Homeland Security may or may not take Mr. Singh into custody following his release from jail, that is our understanding.”
