A disturbing lawsuit filed by fitness influencer Briana Ortega against Riverside County, California, alleges that a sheriff’s deputy stalked her over several months, misusing his position to access her personal information. Ortega claims that Deputy Eric Piscatella, who worked for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for over five years, initiated contact with her during a family festival in Coachella by giving her young son stickers. What began as a seemingly innocent interaction escalated into harrowing stalking behavior that ultimately led to Piscatella’s job loss and criminal charges.
In her lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in late August, Ortega accuses Piscatella and several other law enforcement officials of violating her civil rights. The complaint details a timeline of events starting on September 17, 2023, when Piscatella first approached Ortega. Although they did not exchange contact information, he allegedly used her name to illegally access her private data, including her home address and phone number, through sheriff’s department databases.
Ortega’s allegations paint a frightening picture: after initially forgetting about the deputy, she claims he began to text her out of the blue, referencing their meeting at the festival. When she reached out to him for assistance after her sister became a crime victim, Piscatella reportedly attempted to pivot the conversation toward his romantic interest in her, further escalating the situation.
The lawsuit claims that Piscatella’s obsession intensified over the following months, culminating in multiple illegal searches of Ortega’s information. On July 2, 2024, he allegedly showed up at her home unannounced, claiming to be investigating a potential crime while making romantic advances. He was reportedly in full uniform and armed during this encounter, which Ortega recorded for evidence.
Trial attorney Adante Pointer, who discussed the case on the Law and Crime network, emphasized the implications of a law enforcement officer abusing their authority. Such behavior undermines community trust in police, which is essential for effective law enforcement. Pointer noted the challenges Ortega may face in proving that other deputies were complicit in Piscatella’s misconduct, suggesting a “code of silence” within the department may have allowed such behavior to persist without accountability.
The lawsuit accuses the county of failing to provide adequate oversight and training for officers regarding the use of law enforcement databases, claiming this environment contributed to Piscatella’s actions. Ortega is seeking justice under multiple civil rights violations, including the misuse of computer systems and invasion of privacy.
Riverside County has filed a legal response denying the allegations and asserting various affirmative defenses, including claims of immunity typically afforded to law enforcement agencies. Piscatella’s prior guilty plea to misconduct has not translated into severe consequences; he received only a year of probation and community service, raising concerns about the leniency of the judicial process.
As the lawsuit progresses, the implications of this case extend beyond Ortega’s personal experience, highlighting systemic issues within law enforcement regarding the safeguarding of citizens’ rights and the accountability of officers. The outcome could potentially reshape policies around privacy violations and the expectations of conduct for those in positions of power.
