Santa Barbara photographer and software developer, Zachary Warburg, was sentenced to four-years in prison after pleading guilty to child molestation.
Warburg (32), was arrested after a student at San Marcos High School reported that Warburg had been trying to have inappropriate conversations with her. Authorities soon discovered multiple instances of “suspicious and lewd” and suspected criminal behavior between Warburg, minor female students at local high schools and junior high school, as well out of the area, the Sheriff’s Office stated at the time.
Detectives discovered a pattern in Warburg’s behavior. He would contact his intended victims via social media, soliciting sex acts and sending explicit images. Search warrants revealed that Warburg was also in possession of child pornography. Prosecutors say that the victims ranged from 11-17 years of age. The majority of the offenses occurred in spring 2018, but some occurred in 2015.
Warburg was a well-known photographer for his ability to capture breaking news events. His work was often featured on Noozhawk.
Prosecutor Sarah Barkley stated that Warburg pleaded guilty two of the charges — lewd act with a child younger than 14 years old and witness dissuasion – which are both considered serious and violent felines under California’s three strikes laws. Warburg will be required to register as an sex offender after his release, in addition to his sentence.
