SANTA ANA, California – A Westminster man has been sentenced to over 8 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.

Peter Henry Herz, 61, yesterday received a 97-month sentence from United States District Judge Cormac J. Carney.

Following the completion of his prison term, Herz will be subject to supervised release for the rest of his life. Judge Carney also ordered the defendant to pay $7,500 to one of the victims of his offense.

Herz pleaded guilty in February to one count of possession of child pornography, admitting he had still images and videos of child pornography on his digital devices in 2009. After being charged and arrested for that conduct, Herz was freed on bond. While awaiting trial, Herz obtained new digital devices and possessed additional images of child pornography. Herz possessed a total of more than 500,000 images and 369 videos depicting child pornography.

From 2003 through 2013, Herz worked as the pianist and musical director for Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach and was the staff accompanist at the Theater Department at California State University, Fullerton.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Takla.

Component(s): USAO – California, Central

Contact: Thom Mrozek Spokesperson/Public Affairs Officer United States Attorney's Office Central District of California (Los Angeles) O: 213-894-6947

Press Release Number: 17-123 Updated June 13, 2017

Central District of California DOJ / 17-123 / June 13, 2017