Manatee Deputy Resigns Amid Investigation Into Alleged Misuse of Resident’s Personal Information
A former deputy with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office resigned before the completion of an internal investigation into allegations that he used a resident’s personal information to harass her, according to the sheriff’s office and court records.
Matthew Schwartz, who began working for the sheriff’s office on Dec. 27, 2010, is no longer employed by the agency. The sheriff’s office confirmed Tuesday that Schwartz resigned before the conclusion of the investigation.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a woman contacted the sheriff’s office on Jan. 26 after noticing a sheriff’s SUV parked for several weeks on 147th Street East in the Country Creek neighborhood.
Shortly after reporting the vehicle, the woman began receiving calls and text messages from service companies. Investigators said the companies had obtained her name, phone number and address through online service requests submitted using her personal information.
The affidavit states that Schwartz accessed the woman’s master name file in the sheriff’s office records system the same morning the complaint was made. Investigators said the file contained her personal contact information.
During a non-custodial interview, Schwartz allegedly admitted to submitting the online requests. According to investigators, he said he was upset about the complaint regarding the parked patrol vehicle and used both the agency’s records system and Facebook to research the woman’s information.
The affidavit states Schwartz added the woman’s contact information to Angi’s List and created an inappropriate posting on Craigslist using her information.
Investigators also reviewed Schwartz’s agency computer and reportedly found Craigslist activity between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Court records further state that browser history from Schwartz’s personal cellphone connected the device to Craigslist and Angi’s List activity tied to the alleged harassment.
The alleged offense is listed in court documents as criminal use of personal identification information for harassment under Florida Statute 817.568(4). Investigators believe the actions were intended to harass and retaliate against the resident for reporting the parked patrol vehicle.
