Deputy Arrested for Unauthorized Computer Access 

August 8, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on May 8, 2025, investigators from the Lake Mathews Sheriff's Station opened an investigation into an employee of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office who accessed confidential information obtained from government databases for personal use.

The employee was identified as 41-year-old Deputy Michael Gene Schmidt. On August 7, 2025, Schmidt was arrested in the city of Murrieta without incident and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on four counts of unauthorized computer access.

Schmidt began his employment with the department in October of 2008 and was most recently assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station. Schmidt has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be released. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Investigator Andrews at the Lake Mathews Sheriff's Station at 951-272-5600.

Reporting Supervisor: Lieutenant Albert Martinez

File # MA251280042

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office