La Costa Canyon High School Math Teacher Arrested in CSAM Case as Investigation Details Emerge
Arrest announced in North County case
A La Costa Canyon High School mathematics teacher was arrested Wednesday, January 28, 2026, on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) following a multi-agency investigation in San Diego County. The arrest was announced the same day by the California Department of Justice.
The teacher was taken into custody after investigators concluded he attempted to purchase CSAM online. Authorities later searched electronic devices under his control and reported that the searches supported allegations of possession and attempted possession of CSAM.
Charges, custody status and court timeline
Joseph Anthony Zyburt, 55, was booked into county jail in Vista on felony charges that include alleged possession of CSAM on a desktop computer and a cell phone, along with an attempted possession count tied to an alleged effort to purchase CSAM between October 2024 and January 2025. Jail records and public case information indicate he was being held without bail pending a scheduled arraignment on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the courthouse in Vista.
Defendant: Joseph Anthony Zyburt, 55
Allegations: possession and attempted possession of CSAM
Custody: held in county jail pending arraignment
Court event: arraignment scheduled for January 30, 2026, in Vista
A criminal complaint contains charges that are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Agencies involved and prosecution assignment
The investigation involved the California Department of Justice, the Carlsbad Police Department and federal partners, including the FBI’s Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory. The case is being handled by the California Department of Justice’s Special Prosecutions Section.
School district response and administrative actions
The San Dieguito Union High School District said it was notified in early September 2025 that law enforcement had opened an investigation involving Zyburt. District officials stated that, while they were not provided details at that time, he was removed from the classroom and placed on administrative leave. After the arrest became public on January 28, the district described the allegations as deeply disturbing and said it hopes the judicial process results in accountability.
What happens next
At the arraignment, prosecutors are expected to formally present the charges in open court and the defense will have an opportunity to enter a plea. Future hearings may address bail, conditions of release, and the scope and admissibility of digital evidence referenced by investigators. The timeline for any preliminary hearing or trial setting will depend on court scheduling and motions filed by both sides.