March 7, 2026 – San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office officials report that on February 17, 2026, the Sheriff's Office responded to a report of suspected child sexual abuse material.

During the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as 46-year-old Michael Schmidt of Oceano. Sheriff's Detectives learned Schmidt was employed by the San Luis Obispo County Health Department, assigned to their Information Technology Department.

On the morning of March 5, 2026, Sheriff's Office Detectives, along with the Fresno County Internet Crimes Against Children Task force (ICAC) served a search warrant at the residence of Schmidt in Oceano. Schmidt was taken into custody, without incident, for possession of child sexual abuse material.

During the investigation, investigators discovered Schmidt was also a local cub scout leader in the Five Cities area.

Anyone with additional information can contact the Sheriff's Office Detective Division at (805) 781-4500 or Crimestoppers at (805) 549-7867.

Source: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office