Dharun Ravi reported to jail Thursday to begin serving his 30-day sentence for his hate crime conviction in the Rutgers University webcam spying case, The Star-Ledger reported.
Ravi, 20, had the right to delay his report date while prosecutors appealed his sentence, which they argue was far too lenient.
DEAD STUDENT’S PARENTS ‘TROUBLED’ BY RAVI SENTENCE
But Ravi announced earlier this week that he would turn himself in Thursday, saying in a statement he had decided to “accept and hopefully complete the sentence as soon as possible. It’s the only way I can go on with my life.”
According to The Star-Ledger, Ravi, dressed in a navy blue T-shirt and brown jeans, arrived at the Middlesex County, N.J., Sheriff’s Office at 12:38pm local time, accompanied by his father, lawyer and two family friends.
He declined to comment while passing by a swarm of reporters and photographers on his walk to the jail door.
His family and friends left shortly after entering the sheriff’s building.
“He got to say goodbye to his family,” Sheriff Mildred Scott told The Star-Ledger. “He will be processed, fingerprinted and photographed and taken to the Middlesex County Corrections Center.”
Prior to receiving the 30-day sentence, Ravi had faced up to 10 years in prison after he was convicted on bias intimidation charges in March for streaming a romantic encounter between his roommate, Tyler Clementi, and an older man on the internet.
The incident fueled a national debate over privacy rights and bullying when Clementi, 18, committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge soon after learning of Ravi’s spying in September 2010.
Ravi was not charged in connection with Clementi’s death.
He is expected to only serve 20 days in jail with time off for good behavior.
As part of his sentence, Ravi was also ordered to complete 300 hours of community service and attend counseling classes on cyber bullying and alternate lifestyles.
Ravi is also appealing his conviction, meaning he will be serving a sentence that may ultimately be thrown out.
Earlier this week he issued his first apology over the incident with Clementi.
“My behavior and actions, which at no time were motivated by hate, bigotry, prejudice or desire to hurt, humiliate or embarrass anyone, were nonetheless the wrong choices and decisions,” he said in a statement. “I apologize to everyone affected by those choices.”