Man arrested for creating fake Facebook account

A man who law enforcement say has a vendetta against a Santa Cruz Police officer is behind bars.

31-year-old Christopher Schuette is accused of creating a Facebook page using that officer’s name and uploading inappropriate and illegal things.

Sargent Kelly Kent said, “I think this was a vindictive act put upon an officer for doing his job.”

One year ago this month, Christopher Schuette was arrested for child porn. He was bailed out a few days later. Then, in December, the same officer who arrested him got a call from law enforcement across the country.

Sargent Kent said, “He received a call from a Michigan detective who was looking into a child pornography case and saw a posting on Facebook of child pornography. Looked a little suspicious, called the officer involved and found out it was a fictitious account.”

The page showed an online photo of the officer and his name and it did not end there.

“The officer who arrested him began receiving threatening letters at his home,” said Kent.

The joint task force made up of the FBI, as well as Santa Cruz and Santa Clara law enforcement agencies were able to trace the page to Schuette. When they searched his home, they say they found evidence linking him to the officer and to even more child pornography.

“It’s unsettling to say the least. Not only was he victimized by doing his job, you throw in the child porn and it’s egregious by itself, so it only compounds the feeling of your personal information out there and violated,” said Kent.

The page was quickly taken down and while Santa Cruz authorities believe they have been able to mitigate the damage to the officer’s reputation, it is not always the case for everyone.

Director of Technology and Infrastructure, Chris Frost said, “It’s very easy for someone to copy images put online, copy texts put online and republish and re-post it. Once it’s out there, it’s very difficult to get back.”

Frost says if you suspect someone made a fake account in your name, you need to contact the site to get it taken down.

As for the suspect, he is facing several new charges, including stalking and false impersonation.

His bail is set at $250,000.