Image sources: Kurt Erich Schmitz, courtesy of Tulsa County Jail, as published by KJRH. Google Street View of RiverOaks Presbyterian Church, © Google, via Google Maps.
Authorities have charged Kurt Erich Schmitz, 47, a former employee at RiverOaks Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with possession and procurement of child sexual abuse material and Peeping Tom–related offenses. The disturbing allegations involve the use of the church’s own security cameras to secretly record minors changing clothes during a dress sale fundraiser.
Allegations Against Kurt Erich Schmitz
A woman contacted Tulsa police on February 28th after learning that Schmitz admitted to watching a child undress through the church’s security cameras. The victim confirmed she had been trying on dresses during the fundraiser.
Schmitz had raised concerns about the cameras before the incident, showing that he understood the risks but chose instead to exploit the system himself.
Investigators say Schmitz’s wife had noticed unusual screenshots on a monitoring app. When she confronted him, he admitted to watching a child change clothes. According to KJRH, “She told him to call the person who reported it to the police and turn himself in, or she would divorce him.”
According to court documents, Schmitz told the police that, “He would be completely honest, no matter what.” (KJRH) Schmitz admitted he knew when the fundraiser was taking place because he ensured that the church doors were unlocked. He claimed that he “initially intended to disable the security cameras” inside the church’s classrooms. (KJRH)
At the church, on February 12, Schmitz reportedly accessed the security app connected to the cameras and watched a girl undress, then deleted the app because he felt guilty. He was unable to reinstall the app without his wife’s approval through the monitoring app.
Two days later, on February 14, while working at the church, he secluded himself with a different tablet he had hidden and reinstalled the app. Although he intended to watch recorded video, he instead switched to a live camera feed to allegedly watch several girls as they changed clothes.
Schmitz admitted that he had a long-standing pornography addiction and had developed a pattern of secretly buying tablets to watch porn and play video games so he could bypass his wife’s monitoring app. He told investigators they “would find porn, but nothing child-related.” (KJRH)
He contacted the church on February 15, and the event coordinator covered the cameras.
Multiple Victims
The forensic analysts recovered 13 video files from February 12 depicting two girls and 16 from February 14 depicting four others.
Altogether, the evidence documents six victims being recorded without their knowledge.
Investigators also discovered a separate file involving another minor, which was classified as child sexual abuse material.
Investigators seized the two tablets, obtained a search warrant, and then submitted the devices for forensic analysis..
Felony Charges Filed
Court records show that Schmitz faces seven felony charges in connection with the investigation: two counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, one count of possession and/or procurement of child sexual abuse material, and four counts of Peeping Tom with photographic/electronic equipment.
Legal Proceedings
Schmitz appeared in court for his arraignment on August 25, 2025, where he entered a plea of not guilty. His bond was set at $300,000, and he was remanded into custody. A bond reduction hearing is set for September 4, followed by a preliminary hearing on October 2.
Institutional Responsibility
In a public statement reported by News On 6, “‘Pastor Ricky Jones said the church was ‘very upset by what happened’ and called the behavior ‘terrible in every way.’”
However, the allegations against Schmitz raise serious concerns about how RiverOaks Presbyterian Church managed its surveillance system and the safety of children in its care. Allowing classrooms with active cameras to be used as changing areas created an obvious and preventable danger.
When churches ignore red flags or fail to supervise staff, children are put directly at risk. In this case, the lack of safeguards at RiverOaks turned a church fundraiser into a serious breach of children’s privacy and safety.
Under civil law, institutions, including churches, may be held liable for negligence. Survivors may have the right to pursue claims against a church that employed a perpetrator.
Our Commitment to Survivors
Cases like this highlight the lasting harm that occurs when trusted community spaces fail to protect children. Survivors deserve justice, and enabling institutions must be held accountable.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation nationwide, including in cases involving secret recordings.
If you or your child were secretly recorded or experienced any other form of sexual exploitation at RiverOaks, you may have legal options.
No one should have their privacy and safety violated by being filmed without consent.
Our team can help you understand your rights and pursue justice.
We encourage you to contact us today.
