Salvation Army Captain Arrested for Child Pornography in Santa Monica

Ty Michael Baze, 54, faces felony charges including possession of obscene material depicting minors.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:10am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffs against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the arrest of a Salvation Army captain on child pornography charges.The arrest of a Salvation Army leader on child pornography charges exposes the need for greater oversight and accountability within religious organizations.Santa Monica Today

A 54-year-old man who worked as a captain for the Santa Monica Salvation Army has been arrested and charged with possession of child sexual abuse material. Ty Michael Baze was taken into custody on April 10 without incident and is being held on $250,000 bail as the investigation continues.

Why it matters

The arrest of a Salvation Army leader on child pornography charges raises serious concerns about the potential abuse of power and trust within religious and community organizations, underscoring the need for rigorous background checks and oversight to protect vulnerable populations.

The details

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, Baze was arrested and charged with felony possession of obscene matter depicting a minor in sexual acts. The Salvation Army has placed him on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

  • Baze was arrested on April 10, 2026.

The players

Ty Michael Baze

A 54-year-old man who worked as a captain for the Santa Monica Salvation Army and has been arrested and charged with possession of child sexual abuse material.

Santa Monica Police Department

The law enforcement agency that arrested Baze and is investigating the case.

Salvation Army

The religious and community organization that employed Baze and has placed him on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

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What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant Baze bail at a hearing scheduled for next week.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for religious and community organizations to have robust safeguards in place, including thorough background checks and ongoing monitoring, to protect vulnerable populations from potential abuse of power and trust.