MACON, Ga. — Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta investigated a former teacher and volunteer youth ministry leader who pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material in federal court on July 8.
Christian Baumgarth, 27, of Atlanta and formerly Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child sexual abuse material. Federal agents with HSI began their investigation into Baumgarth in the summer of 2023. He was identified while investigating people who were using encrypted applications to possess and distribute child sexual abuse material.
“Those who view and distribute child sexual abuse material perpetuate the victimization of the most vulnerable members of our society,” said HSI Atlanta acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony J. Patrone, who oversees offices in Georgia and Alabama. “Those in positions of public trust are held to a higher standard as guardians of the innocent and HSI Atlanta, with our law enforcement partners, will continue to seek justice for these victims by pursuing and holding accountable the predators dealing in this material.”
In August 2023, agents executed a federal search warrant at Baumgarth’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices, including two cellphones. Forensic examination of these devices uncovered 20 images and 13 videos of child sexual abuse.
Baumgarth was a teacher and a coach at First Presbyterian Day School in Macon at the time he was identified. His employment at the school has since been terminated. He was also a volunteer small group leader in the student ministry at Northway Church in Macon.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 9. Baumgarth faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to a lifetime of supervised release. He must also register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. Baumgarth is currently in custody while awaiting his sentencing hearing.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Will Keyes.
Report suspected child exploitation to the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.
About HSI
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce consists of over 10,000 employees, assigned to 235 offices within the United States and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI's international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.