Well-known Santa Barbara photographer arrested on suspicion of child pornography, soliciting minors
UPDATE
A Santa Barbara freelance photographer made his first court appearance Friday. Zachary Warburg is accused of soliciting illegal sexual acts and sending explicit images.
He faces child pornography charges. NewsChannel 3 cameras were at the Santa Barbara County Superior Courthouse for his arraignment, but we were not allowed to show him.
Warburg was arrested after a months-long investigation that allegedly found inappropriate communication between him and students at local high schools and junior highs.
Warburg was released on one million dollars bail.
His next court date is set for April 23.
ORIGINAL STORY
A well-known freelance photographer based out of Santa Barbara County was arrested following a months-long investigation.
Zachary Warburg , 28, was arrested on suspicion of communicating with a minor with intent to commit sex crimes or other felonies, possession of child pornography, and sending harmful material to a minor with intent of sexual gratification.
The investigation began when a school resource deputy at San Marcos High School was notified by a student that Warburg was attempting inappropriate communications with her of a sexual nature.
The deputy opened an investigation and discovered several instances of suspected lewd and criminal behavior occurring between Warburg and minor female students at high schools and junior high schools in the Santa Barbara area, as well as out of the area.
In June, the investigation was turned over to the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. The investigation revealed numerous victims and a pattern of behavior where Warburg contacted under-aged and minor females either in person or through social media and would solicit illegal sexual acts, or request or send sexually explicit images. Search warrants also led to the discovery of child pornography in his possession.
Warburg was booked on a complaint warrant, which included several charges alleged by numerous victims.
Warburg was known throughout the Santa Barbara community due to his photography of local disasters, community events and traffic incidents. Warburg’s images have been published by local news agencies including KEYT, KCOY and Noozhawk .
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office says there may be other victims who have not yet been contacted. Anyone with information about the allegations or information that may lead to the discovery of other victims, please call Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau at 805-681-4150.
Warburg is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.
