A Cub Scout leader and San Luis Obispo County Health Department employee has been arrested on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material.
According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, 46-year-old Michael Schmidt was taken into custody on Thursday after investigators served a search warrant at his Oceano home.
Sheriff's officials say their investigation began in mid-February after receiving a report of suspected child sexual abuse material.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Schmidt works in the IT department for the San Luis Obispo County Health Department. A representative from County Health told KSBY in a statement they are “aware of the arrest and are cooperating fully with law enforcement.”
The Sheriff’s Office said Schmidt is a cub scout leader in the Five Cities area.
Cub Scout leaders work with children roughly between ages 5 to 10. According to Scouting America’s website, leaders are never allowed to be alone with a Cub Scout and there must be at least two adults present at all times.
Representatives from Scouting America told KSBY they were unable to comment on the incident involving Schmidt and when calling a local pack, KSBY was told they could not confirm or deny Schmidt’s involvement.
As of Friday afternoon, Schmidt was being held at the San Luis Obispo County Jail without bail.
The sheriff's office is asking anyone with additional information about this case to contact detectives at (805) 781-4500 or Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-STOP.
