Early Misuse of Law Enforcement Tools (Image Credits: Pexels)
Costa Mesa, Orange County — A former police officer exploited confidential law enforcement systems to monitor his mistress, her romantic interests, and even his wife, prosecutors revealed this week. Robert Jay Josett, 35, a Costa Mesa resident, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges after a campaign of harassment that included thousands of unwanted contacts.[1][2] The case exposed how internal access turned into tools for personal vendettas, leading to his termination from the Costa Mesa Police Department.
Early Misuse of Law Enforcement Tools
Josett began accessing restricted databases in June 2023, while still employed by the Costa Mesa Police Department. He conducted 13 unauthorized queries in the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, known as CLETS, targeting individuals and vehicles unrelated to official duties.[1] These searches included his mistress, a man she dated, and his own wife.
Prosecutors detailed further abuse of the department’s FLOCK license plate reader system. Josett located his mistress’s vehicle and those of her romantic partners, using the data to follow them. Even after placement on administrative leave in December 2023, he continued such access, including a June 2024 lookup that revealed his mistress’s new boyfriend’s address in Torrance.[3][4]
Relentless Harassment Following Breakup
The situation intensified in April 2024 when the woman ended their relationship. Josett responded with thousands of texts, phone calls, and social media messages over the next nine months, often dozens per day. Some days saw more than 100 contacts to her alone, with up to 58 calls directed at her and her new boyfriend combined.[2]…