First responder at Wichita airport charged with computer crimes, officials say

A longtime Wichita Airport Authority employee has been charged with two counts of felony computer crimes.

He is accused of accessing and printing criminal reports from the Wichita Police Department’s record system, the city said in a Wednesday news release.

Lt. Matthew Hoyt, a WAA officer and firefighter, has been removed from his supervisor position and all law enforcement responsibilities until the investigation is complete. Hoyt, who is also a firefighter and EMT at the airport, will be restricted to fire and medical tasks. He has been with the organization 22 years.

Court records filed June 16 say the crime happened on March 3 and March 9.

“WPD officials learned of an incident involving LT. Hoyt during the month of June,” the news release says. “After the incident, detectives learned Hoyt had previously accessed and printed criminal reports from the Wichita Police Department’s records management system.”

When asked why Hoyt, an officer, could not access criminal reports, Wichita police spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said “law enforcement officers can access police records only for legitimate investigative law enforcement purposes.”

Hoyt is expected to next appear in court July 12.

This story was originally published June 29, 2022 at 3:35 PM.