Global Courant
A Ventura County deputy sheriff was fired last year after it was discovered he had an inappropriate relationship with a woman in custody, according to a newly released report.
Tyler Ebell, a former senior sheriff’s deputy with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, received notice of his resignation last November, documents first obtained by the Ventura County Star show.
The agency launched an investigation into Ebell after a tip from another employee statement released by Sheriff Jim Fryhoff on Friday. The department has not provided more information about a pending lawsuit.
According to the department’s notice, Ebell neglected his duty when he allegedly fraternized with a woman in custody at the Ventura County Jail and had a sexual relationship with her after she was paroled.
Ebell was promoted to senior deputy sheriff in November 2020. A few days before his promotion, he could be seen on prison security footage talking to the woman in the booking area, reminding her to be discreet about their interactions, according to the report.
When prison deputies questioned Ebell’s behavior, he backed down and lied that the woman — identified by the star as Nastaza Schmidt — was working as his informant, the report said.
Ebell allegedly deposited $1,585.00 into Schmidt’s account, smuggled books, food, and other items into the prison for her, and posted $5,000 for her bail when she was released.
According to the report, Ebell allegedly spoke to Schmidt over the phone for hours on a recorded line while she was in custody and he was on duty.
The report cites at least one incident of unreported domestic violence where Ebell allegedly pressured Schmidt, forcing her to receive medical care outside of the prison’s facilities.
Ebell also reportedly listened to her phone calls from jail and used official Ventura County databases to track her contacts with law enforcement and track court activity. According to the report, he drove Schmidt around in his work car while on duty.
Two off-duty deputies saw Ebell and the woman at a Ventura restaurant on Dec. 30, 2021, just months after she was released from prison.
“This kind of behavior and criminal sophistication is often expected by inmates, but not from a member of the department,” said the report.
The department charged Ebell with dishonesty, corrupt use of official authority and influence, inexcusable dereliction of duty and acts inconsistent with public service.
Ebell’s lawyer, George Tourkow, said in an email that his client “vehemently denies” the allegations and could not comment further on pending litigation.
Ebell appealed his firing on Dec. 28 at a Skelly hearing, a pre-disciplinary meeting for officials, according to sheriff’s spokesman Captain Dean Worthy. Ebell resigned the next day.
Schmidt was booked on September 16, 2020 and served approximately one year in jail awaiting trial for alleged identity theft and possession of drug paraphernalia and burglary tools. According to the report, Ebell was an “active participant” in her arrest.
Schmidt died on February 28 at the age of 34 in Thousand Oaks during a burglary attempt at a storage unit. Officials said she collapsed while running after the device’s owner appeared. An autopsy revealed that she had taken a lethal amount of methamphetamine and that she may have had a heart attack when she fled.
