US pilot jailed in Singapore for breaking Corona virus isolation

SINGAPORE – A U.S. cargo pilot who admitted a “bad judgment” in violation of an isolated order to buy medical supplies became the first foreigner to be jailed in Singapore for violating regulations to control coronavirus, his lawyer said Friday.

FedEx pilot Brian Duggan Yargan, 44, of Alaska, who pleaded guilty to leaving his hotel room for three hours to buy masks and a thermometer, was sentenced Wednesday to four weeks in prison, defense attorney Ronnie Tan said.

Singapore has one of the largest eruptions in Asia, with 26,000 cases. More than 90% of the victims were foreign workers living in crowded dormitories, while the government began loosening restrictions on locals.

The small city-state has severe penalties for those who violate the rules of isolation, do not mask publicly, or fail to follow social distance measures. Isolates can be sentenced to up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $ 10,000 (, $ 7,000) or up to Singapore.

Dawn said her and two of her co-pilots were taken to the airport hotel to serve a 14-day isolation after arriving from Sydney on April 3. Because of their health announcements they have visited China, Hong Kong, Macao and Japan. And within two weeks of their arrival in the United States, Dan said.

Health officials checked that she was missing from her room on April 5th. Yegan told the court that he took Metro to buy a thermometer and a few boxes of masks before flying home on April 6.

Dane says Airgun needs those items because they are returning home because his wife is sick. Iargan’s wife had respiratory problems, but in March she tested negative for the corona virus, she said.

Dawn said she lost her daughter in a tragic incident four years ago and another death frightened her. Two of his co-pilots flew out as planned on April 6, but he is confined again to his room. The U.S. is due to make a mistake in Singapore. He said the Air Force had to leave a job to fly a humanitarian aid mission to COVID-19-affected countries.

“When he addressed the court, he said, ‘I’m sorry. He made a bad judgment. He shouldn’t have gone out,'” Dan said. The American said, “I have tremendous respect for the people of Singapore and its laws.”

The court said in its ruling that Yairgan should have asked someone to get the goods for himself.

Tan said Irgan was relieved as prosecutors sought up to eight weeks in jail. He said he would apply for good behavior relief, which could see the American complete his sentence in three weeks.

Anchorage belongs to the Eagle River community and works with the Alaska Air National Guard, the Anchorage Daily News reported. She said she last spoke with her parents on Mother’s Day. “He’s taking care of himself,” Jim Iargon is quoted as saying.

FedEx spokeswoman Davina Cole told the newspaper that the company had complied with all regulations from government officials regarding the virus.

Eyargan is the first foreigner to be convicted of violating a quarantine order, but many Singaporeans have been jailed for five to six weeks for leaving their homes.

Singapore imposed a partial lockdown on April 7 and eased restrictions on Tuesday, with food manufacturers, barbers and laundry shops opening their doors three weeks before the lockdown ends on June 1.