Rural Kansas Man Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges

27-year-old David Michael Katz faces 8 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material

Mar. 18, 2026 at 7:49pm

A 27-year-old man from Leonardville, Kansas has been arrested and charged with 8 counts of sexual exploitation of a child for allegedly possessing media involving minors under the age of 18. The Riley County Police Department took David Michael Katz into custody on Tuesday morning at a home southwest of Leonardville.

Why it matters

Crimes involving the exploitation of minors are a serious concern in communities across the country. This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to identify and apprehend individuals engaged in the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The details

According to the Riley County Police Department, Katz was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant listing 8 counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The charges specifically relate to Katz allegedly possessing media involving minors under the age of 18. Katz was taken into custody around 8:30 AM on Tuesday at a home in the 8900 block of Alert Road, southwest of Leonardville.

  • Katz was arrested around 8:30 AM on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.

The players

David Michael Katz

A 27-year-old man from Leonardville, Kansas who was arrested and charged with 8 counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Riley County Police Department

The law enforcement agency that arrested Katz and filed the charges against him.

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What’s next

Katz was issued a $25,000 bond and has since been released from the Riley County Jail. The case will now proceed through the criminal justice system.

The takeaway

This arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to identify and apprehend individuals engaged in the exploitation of minors. It serves as a reminder of the serious nature of these crimes and the need for continued vigilance to protect vulnerable children in our communities.