News and Investigations

On Thursday, September 22, 2016, PCSO Deputies arrested 57-year-old Chester Kwitowski of Tampa, for two counts Giving False Statements During Prosecution of Capital Felony (F-2), and three counts Giving False Statements In Official Proceeding (commonly known as Perjury) (F-3). He lists his occupation as President/CEO of Brightside Enterprises, Inc.

According to the affidavit, Kwitowski appeared as a subject matter expert witness for the defense, during five sexual battery on a minor and/or possession of child pornography jury trials or depositions in the 10th Judicial Circuit, and provided sworn testimony that he has formal education and certifications including: 

*             Master's Degree from USF in Computer Science and Engineering

*             Secret and Top Secret Clearance from the Federal Government

*             An Officer in the U.S. Air Force

*             Multiple computer forensics certifications from different software companies

Detectives have determined that none of the above are true, and that Kwitowski lied under oath about his certifications, education, and level of expertise.

"We are early in this investigation, and still awaiting documentation from other government entities and private companies that Kwitowski has claimed to have certifications with - at this point in time, it's difficult to tell what, if anything, he has told the truth about, and what he has completely made up." - Grady Judd, Sheriff 

During each of the trials and depositions, Kwitowski testified on behalf of the defense for four defendants, all of whom were charged with felonies including sexual battery on a minor and possession of child pornography. 

Kwitowski's curriculum vitae (CV) lists a Bachelor's Degree from UCF; a Master's Degree from USF; a secret clearance from the Department of Defense; a top secret clearance from NASA; served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force; 36 years' worth of experience in computer forensic techniques; certified forensic digital analyst for Cicso, Novell, Microsoft, En Case, and numerous other software companies. 

Kwitowski testified as a subject matter expert witness in the following trials, during which he swore to the following under oath: 

*             September 14, 2016 - During the trial of Jason Daniels, who was charged and convicted by a jury of 5 counts capital sexual battery on a child under 12 years old, and 4 counts felony sexual battery on a child under 12 years old, Kwitowski swore under oath that he obtained a Master's Degree from USF; was certified by En Case and Cisco; and held a Secret and Top Secret clearance. He did provide a false statement under oath during a capital felony proceeding, in violation of FSS 837.02(2) which is a 2nd degree felony. 

*             September 7, 2016 - During a deposition prior to the trial of the aforementioned Jason Daniels, Kwitowski swore under oath that he obtained a Master's Degree from USF; held certifications from Novell, En Case, and Cicso; served in the USAF from 1982-1986; was a computer forensics examiner in the military; and held a top secret clearance. He did provide a false statement under oath during a capital felony proceeding, in violation of FSS 837.02(2) which is a 2nd degree felony. 

*             August 30, 2016 - During the jury trial of William Jason Teets, who was charged with six third degree felonies (Possession of Child Pornography), Kwitowski swore under oath that he obtained a Master's Degree from USF; held certifications from Novell, En Case, and Cicso; and was certified by the military in computer forensics. He did provide a false statement under oath in official proceeding (commonly known as perjury), in violation of FSS 837.02(1) which is a 3rd degree felony. 

*             June 8, 2016 - During a deposition prior to the trial of Dennis Morgan, who is charged with 13 felonies (Possession of Child Pornography), Kwitowski swore under oath that he obtained a Master's Degree from USF; and held certifications from Novell, En Case, and Cicso. He did provide a false statement under oath in official proceeding (commonly known as perjury), in violation of FSS 837.02(1) which is a 3rd degree felony. 

*             November 20, 2014 - During the jury trial of Jesse Rittenhouse, who was charged with Possession of Child Pornography, Kwitowski swore under oath that he held certifications from Novell, En Case, and Cicso; he had a Master's Degree; he spent five years in the USAF. He did provide a false statement under oath in official proceeding (commonly known as perjury), in violation of FSS 837.02(1) which is a 3rd degree felony. 

During the investigation, the following was learned: 

*             The University of South Florida provided official, certified transcripts for Kwitowski, which indicates he has completed only three courses of non-degree seeking and exploratory education - he does not have a degree from this school.

*             Cisco Systems, Inc., does not have certifications, refuting Kwitowski's claims to be a Cisco certified engineer and trainer.

*             The parent company of "En Case" digital forensics software verified there is no record of Kwitowski being certified as an "En Case" certified examiner or forensic analyst, refuting Kwitowski's claims.

*             Micro Focus Training provided that there is no record that Kwitowski completed any certification through their parent company Novell, and there is no such thing as a "Novell Systems Engineer," refuting Kwitowski's claims.

*             The USAF Office of Special Investigations indicate Kwitowski was enlisted as a second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force for a period of five months - April 15, 1982 until September 8, 1982 - and then he was terminated.

*             The Office of Personnel Management and NASA Protective Services indicated Kwitowski has never held a Secret or Top Secret Clearance from the federal government, and has never been employed by or contracted by NASA. 

Kwitowski's criminal history includes a 2001 arrest by HCSO for Battery, Domestic Violence; a 2003 arrest by HCSO for Aggravated Battery With A Deadly Weapon; and a 2007 arrest by Pinellas Park PD for False Reports of Commission of Crime.