[Houston, February 27] – Former NASA engineer Eric Sim has been cleared of all sexual assault charges after prosecutors dropped the case due to insufficient evidence.
Sim, 38, had faced seven counts of sexual assault in 2024. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office had publicly labeled him a “sexual predator” at the time. His case attracted media attention, partly due to his past involvement in a 2012 NASA parody video of Psy’s Gangnam Style, which resurfaced during his indictment.
Prosecutors Drop Charges Against Former NASA Engineer
On February 25, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office announced that it would not move forward with the prosecution. Court records revealed that six cases lacked sufficient evidence, while the seventh accuser requested to withdraw their complaint.
Although prosecutors believed the women involved had been harmed, they stated that the case did not meet the legal standard for trial.
Former NASA Engineer’s Attorney Criticizes Prosecution
Sim’s attorney, Neal Davis, accused former District Attorney Kim Ogg of pursuing the case for media attention.
“District Attorney Ogg sought media attention by wrongfully indicting an innocent man,” Davis said. “My client’s reputation has been irreparably damaged.”
He also claimed that the case had political motivations. Additionally, he questioned how Sim could rebuild his reputation after extensive media coverage.
Impact on Former NASA Engineer Eric Sim’s Career
Loss of Employment at NASA
Authorities arrested Sim in February 2024 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Shortly after, he lost his position at the agency. His defense argued that all interactions had been consensual and that the accusations were false.
NASA Johnson Style Video Resurfaces
In 2012, Sim gained public attention while attending North Carolina State University and interning at NASA. During this period, he participated in the NASA Johnson Style video, a parody of Gangnam Style featuring astronauts and NASA scientists. The video has since accumulated over 8.6 million views.
Legal and Media Implications for the Former NASA Engineer
Sim’s case raises concerns about the long-term consequences of public accusations and how media coverage shapes reputations. While he has been cleared of all charges, it remains uncertain how this will affect his future.
For further updates on legal and science-related news, visit Korea Daily.
Key Events in the Former NASA Engineer’s Case
- February 2024: Authorities arrested Sim at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
- 2024: Prosecutors indicted him on seven counts of sexual assault.
- February 25, 2025: The Harris County District Attorney’s Office dismissed all charges.
Rebuilding Reputation After Acquittal
Although prosecutors dropped the charges, Sim’s attorney argues that the allegations have caused lasting damage to his personal and professional reputation.
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BY YEOL JANG [jang.yeol@koreadaily.com]
