Salvation Army captain arrested for having child pornography in Santa Monica

NBC Los Angeles reports that Ty Michael Baze, 54, a captain at the Santa Monica Salvation Army, was arrested on April 10 on felony charges related to possession of child sexual abuse material. The article is sourced from Santa Monica Police Department statements provided exclusively to NBC4 Investigates, includes specific details (arrest date, bail amount, charges), and documents the Salvation Army's institutional response (immediate placement on leave pending investigation). The reporting follows standard journalistic practice with named sources and attempts to contact the accused; however, the depth is limited by the lack of additional named sources beyond police and the Salvation Army, and no detail on how the material was discovered or the scope of the investigation. Independent search results show similar local law enforcement cases involving child exploitation (Orange County Sheriff's deputy, Fort Bragg NCO) but do not corroborate or add context specific to this Salvation Army case. Watch for updates on charges, trial proceedings, and whether this investigation uncovers institutional safeguarding issues within the Salvation Army.