La Costa Canyon High math teacher arrested on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material

A La Costa Canyon High School and former MiraCosta College math teacher was arrested Wednesday morning on suspicion of possession of child sexual abuse material, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced.

Joseph Anthony Zyburt, 55, is facing three felony charges, including possession of child pornography on a computer, possession on a cellphone and attempted purchase of child pornography, according to a criminal complaint and jail records.

San Dieguito Union High School District officials said Zyburt was placed on administrative leave near the start of the school year after the district learned he was under criminal investigation. The district said in a statement that it learned of his arrest on Wednesday.

“In early September 2025, district officials were notified that law enforcement was opening an investigation into a matter involving Joseph Zyburt,” the district said in its statement. “While the district was not provided with any specifics at the time, Mr. Zyburt was immediately removed from the classroom and placed on administrative leave.”

District officials said they had no other information about Zyburt’s arrest beyond what Bonta’s office provided.

“This news is deeply disturbing and the District hopes justice will be served,” it said in the statement.

Bonta said investigators identified Zyburt as someone who was allegedly attempting to purchase child sexual abuse material on the internet, and a subsequent investigatio...