Child porn found on devices of accused N. CA child molester psychologist

August 20, 2013

SANTA CRUZ -- Investigators found more than 1,200 digital pictures of child pornography on a single thumb drive taken from the office of a Capitola child psychologist accused of molesting his patients, according to testimony in a preliminary hearing Thursday.

John William Visher, 66, faces 21 charges of child molestation and child pornography. If convicted, Visher faces life in prison.

Sgt. Joseph Heartsner, a computer forensics examiner with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, testified that investigators found child pornography photos and videos on the thumb drive, two DVDs and a laptop taken from Visher's office.

"They were almost all pretty graphic child porn," Heartsner said.

Investigators also found evidence on the laptop that indicated the user visited adult and child pornography websites.

When defense attorney Doug Fox asked if there was any evidence Visher took the photos or videos himself, Heartsner replied no.

When prosecutor Michael Gilman asked Heartsner to describe characteristics of a pedophile, he said pedophiles often collect and keep pictures for long periods of time and view them compulsively.

Several family members and friends were in court to support Visher, who exchanged friendly looks with them before court proceedings. They all declined to comment.

Visher's attorney said he and his client were grateful to have support in the courtroom.

"I'm pleased to say he's got the support of friends and family, loved ones who appreciate the fact that a person accused of a crime doesn't make them guilty of a crime," Fox said.

Visher was first arrested in Sept. 19 at his La Selva Beach home after complaints from a then 8-year-old girl who was his patient. Capitola police believe the incidents with the girl happened in 2009 at Visher's former Bay Avenue office.

A civil lawsuit by the girl's family has been suspended while the criminal case proceeds.

If Judge Sam Stevens, a retired Santa Cruz County Superior court judge who is filling in, rules there is enough evidence to hold Visher accountable to the charges, Visher's case will go to trial.

Visher's psychology license was suspended by the California Board of Psychology shortly after his arrest. Visher's website, which has been taken down, stated he served at-risk youth and provided therapy for sexual problems, Capitola police said. Investigators believe he retired before his arrest.

After posting bail of $110,000 from his original arrest, he was rearrested in May after prosecutors charged him with several more counts stemming from other underaged victims.

Including the 8-year-old girl, prosecutors allege Visher abused four victims as far as back as 2001. In April, a fourth victim who is now 21, came forward and said he was abused in 2002 and 2003.

Visher remains in jail in lieu of $1 million bail. Because of scheduling conflicts and technical difficulties with evidence on the defense's end, the preliminary examination was continued to Aug. 21.

Prosecutors asked anyone with additional information to call the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office at 831-454-2516.

Source: Calvin Men, "Child porn found on devices of accused Capitola child molester," Santa Cruz Sentinel, August 10, 2013.