Accused Child Molester Back in Custody

By Jason Hoppin
Santa Cruz Sentinel
May 20, 2013

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_23270124?fb_comment_id=fbc_567325809965915_6127863_568469426518220#f2002501c

John Visher ( SCS )

A child psychologist accused of molesting his patients was rearrested this week after prosecutors expanded their case against him.

John W. Visher, 56, abused four victims as far back as 2001, prosecutors allege. He was first arrested at his La Selva Beach home in September based on complaints from a 9-year-old girl, and this week saw several new counts added involving three more underage victims.

"The defendant has engaged in a decade-long (if not longer) campaign of utilizing his position of power and control to molest the children he was supposed to be counseling and helping," prosecutor Michael Gilman wrote in court papers.

If convicted, Visher could face life in prison. He is accused of 21 counts of child molestation and child pornography, and a judge Thursday increased his bail from $110,000 to $1 million. He was still in custody Friday.

Visher has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His psychology license was suspended by the state pending resolution of the criminal case.

The case broke when a 9-year-old girl reported inappropriate contact with Visher. But it wasn't the first time authorities had taken a look at Visher, who has been a licensed California psychologist since 1982.

According to court papers, Capitola police investigated Visher in 2001 and 2005, though neither resulted in charges. County Child Protective Services also investigated the 2001 case, which involved a 5-year-old boy.

Due to statutes of limitations, none of the charges involve the 2001 case. Authorities have contacted that victim, who reportedly confirmed and added to the original report.

In 2005, Visher allegedly molested an 8-year-old boy and warned him not to tell anyone. That incident also was investigated by Capitola police, and the victim was recently re-interviewed by authorities, according to court documents.

A fourth victim, now 21, stepped forward in April. He said the abuse occurred in 2002 and 2003, and involved forced oral sex and sexual penetration by an object.

Visher is being sued by the family of the 9-year-old girl, a case now suspended while the criminal case plays out. A lawyer for the family, Joseph C. George, called the added counts a bombshell.

"I'm sort of speechless," he said. "It's mind-blowing the nature and extent of molestation by a trusted authority figure."

Prosecutors have asked for special circumstances in Visher's case, making him eligible for a sentence of 25 years to life. Several counts call for sentences of 15 years to life as well.

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