Carlsbad Teacher Arrested On Suspicion Of Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

CARLSBAD, CA — A Carlsbad teacher was behind bars Wednesday for alleged possession of child sexual abuse, the California Attorney General's Office announced.

Joseph Anthony Zyburt, 55, a teacher at La Costa Canyon High School, was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of possessing and attempting to possess child sexual abuse material, according to the felony complaint for an arrest warrant filed Jan. 26 in San Diego Superior Court and the San Diego County Sheriff's jail booking log.

After an investigation flagged purchases of child sexual abuse material on the internet, special agents from the California Department of Justice searched electronic devices in the mathematics instructor's control that further indicated his possession and attempted possession of the content, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office.

"When someone who is entrusted with the care of our youth is revealed to be harboring child sexual abuse material, it is not only a crime, but also a betrayal of trust," Bonta said in a statement.

"Protecting the most vulnerable among us is not just a responsibility of this office, it is a moral obligation," he added. "My office stands ready and fully committed to continuing this fight with the help of our law enforcement partners. We will work tirelessly to hold offenders accountable and to ensure that our children are protected, supported, and given the safe future they deserve."

The Carlsbad Police Department and the FBI's Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory assisted in the arrest. The California DOJ's Special Prosecutions Section was handling the case.