Eric Piscatella
Former deputy at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department who was apparently let go for illegally accessing government databases in pursuit of information about Briana Ortega.
Indio Police Department vs Eric Piscatella
Petition For Determination Of Return Of Firearm Pursuant To WIC 8102
| Full Name | Eric Matthew Piscatella |
| Sex | Male |
| Birthdate | 03/02/1995 |
| Birthplace | Riverside County, California |
| Mother’s Maiden Name | Yanez |
| Age | 30 (as of September 2025) |
| Law Enforcement Career | Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy (March 2019 – October 2024) |
| Assignments | Court services and patrol operations in Thermal |
| Current Status | Resigned from the Sheriff’s Department in October 2024 |
| Certification Status | Peace officer certification suspended by the state of California |
Initial Contact: In September 2023, Piscatella met Briana Ortega at a community festival in Coachella where her son approached him for a sticker . Ortega states they had a brief, polite conversation but did not exchange contact information.
Alleged Stalking and Harassment: Beginning in January 2024, Ortega alleges Piscatella used law enforcement databases (CLETS) to find her personal information, including her address and phone number . This led to a series of incidents over several months:
He showed up at her home unannounced while on duty.
He sent her unsolicited text messages, attempting to flirt and ask her out on dates.
On July 2, 2024, he allegedly ran her license plate and then went to her home minutes after she returned from a trip, falsely claiming a suspect had jumped her fence to gain entry . Once inside, he commented on her appearance and asked for her new phone number.
⚖️ Legal Proceedings and Outcome
The situation resulted in both criminal and civil legal actions:
Criminal Charges: In December 2024, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office charged Piscatella with seven felony counts of illegally accessing law enforcement computer systems.
Case Resolution: In July 2025, a judge reduced the charges to misdemeanors. Piscatella pleaded guilty to all seven misdemeanor counts and was sentenced to probation and community service . The District Attorney’s Office has appealed the judge’s decision.
Civil Lawsuit: In August 2025, Briana Ortega filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Piscatella, Riverside County, and Sheriff Chad Bianco, alleging stalking, harassment, and civil rights violations. The lawsuit is ongoing.
Eric Piscatella’s law enforcement career ended following serious allegations of misconduct where he was accused of using his position and law enforcement resources to stalk a woman he met while on duty. What happened to him highlights concerns about the abuse of power, particularly the weaponization of sensitive databases, and has raised significant questions about accountability and consequences for such actions within the justice system.
Fitness influencer Briana Ortega claims a Riverside County Sheriff’s deputy stalked her for months, abusing his position and using department resources to access her personal information. Now she’s filed a lawsuit against the county, former deputy Eric Piscatella, and a number of his co-workers who allegedly knew what he was up to.