Lancaster peeper pleads not guilty to child pornography charges

LANCASTER, Calif. (KABC) -- A 38-year-old transient who allegedly placed a cellphone camera underneath a sink at several public restrooms across Los Angeles County and secretly videotaped adults and minors using the restroom pleaded not guilty Monday to multiple charges, including child pornography.

Antonio Serrano, also known as Juan Antonio Lizardi, allegedly recorded four adults and four minors in at least four restrooms, including a Starbucks in Lancaster, a Chuck E. Cheese, Olvera Street and a mall in the Antelope Valley, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said. The video recordings were made between May 1 and July 16.

Serrano was arrested after a 5-year-old boy discovered the hidden cellphone camera underneath a sink inside the women's restroom at a Starbucks branch near Avenue K and 10th Street West on July 9.

The suspect is facing seven felony charges and 12 misdemeanor counts, including three counts of possession of child or youth pornography, two counts of second-degree commercial burglary, one count each of counterfeit seal and identity theft. He's due back in court on July 30.

If convicted as charged, Serrano faces a possible maximum sentence of 17 years and four months in state prison. He's being held in lieu of $175,000 bail.