E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A Riverside County man, John Matthew Piecuch, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for producing sexually explicit images of children he met online. The sentencing took place in Santa Ana, California, where United States District Judge John W. Holcomb also scheduled a restitution hearing for May 1, 2025.
Piecuch, aged 64 and residing in Hemet, pleaded guilty in July 2024 to one count of production of child pornography. He has been held in federal custody since August 2021.
“Online games and platforms can allow child predators to hide behind fake identities and lure children into sharing private information,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally. “It is critical that we hold these predators accountable and convey a message of zero tolerance for those who prey on our youth. I also urge parents everywhere to monitor their children’s online activity to ensure their health and safety.”
The case involved a preteen girl identified as "Minor Victim 1," whom Piecuch met on the online gaming platform Roblox by pretending to be a 13-year-old boy. In January 2021, Piecuch persuaded her to send him sexually explicit images of herself and later coerced her into sending similar photographs of her five-year-old relative referred to as "Minor Victim 2."
The situation came to light when Minor Victim 1's mother discovered text messages between her daughter and Piecuch on the girl's mobile device, leading her to alert law enforcement authorities.
Following his prison term, Piecuch will be subject to supervised release for life. The investigation was conducted by the FBI with assistance from the Carroll County (Maryland) Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Sonah Lee is prosecuting the case.
