WEST HOLLYWOOD—Detectives from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station are seeking additional individuals who may have been victimized by a suspect who exposed himself at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in January 2018. On January 1, deputies assigned to the Universal CityWalk Substation received a report of a male who exposed himself to a female adult at the theme park.
Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez of the LASD indicated that deputies searched for the suspect and later located him after he returned to the theme park later in the week. The suspect, Hershel Korngut, 34, was arrested and transported to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station where he was booked for the indicated misdemeanor charge and subsequently cited and released, pending an order to appear at Van Nuys Courthouse West on Wednesday, April 4.
Through the course of the continuing investigation, detectives discovered additional victims whom were identified as juveniles, also came in contact with Korngut at the theme park. Authorities served a search warrant at Korngut’s home in Los Angeles where they found child pornography. Additional charges of possession of child pornography, lewd and lascivious acts upon a child and sexual battery will be considered at his upcoming appearance in court.
Korngut is an audiologist at a hearing care facility in Tarzana and a mentor at a youth organization in Los Angeles. The current allegations have led detectives to suspect there may be additional victims due to Korngut’s work environment and volunteer history.
Anyone who may have been a victim of Hershel Korngut or has any information about the incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s West Hollywood Station, Detective Dowdy at (818) 622-9600. To remain anonymous call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), on a smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
