MENDOCINO CO., 9/1/2026 — A 72-year-old Piercy man convicted in a prior child pornography case was recently arrested again after a search of his phone found additional child sexual abuse material, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.
John Laudenschlager was arrested on Aug. 19 after responding to the Sheriff’s Office to register as a sex offender as required after a 2024 investigation found “a large amount” of child sexual abuse material, sheriff’s officials said.
When Laudenschlager contacted the Sheriff’s Office, deputies learned there was an active order to bring him into custody for violating his probation terms. Laudenschlager was also 14 days overdue to register as a sex offender.
During the arrest, a cellphone was collected from a vehicle allegedly associated with Laudenschlager. The phone was later searched by detectives who located multiple files and photographs allegedly containing child sexual abuse material, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Laudenschlager was arrested for suspected possession of over 600 images of sexual conduct involving a minor.
While servicing a warrant for Laudenschlager’s residence after his arrest, detectives allegedly found a firearm and live ammunition, which Laudenschlager’s probation prohibited him from having.
Laudenschlager was booked into Mendocino County Jail, where he is being held on a no-bail status.
The Mendocino County District Attorney’s office charged Laudenschlager with possession of child pornography and possession of a firearm by a felon, among other charges. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Aug. 25, and his preliminary hearing is Wednesday.