A Florida man who was let out of jail during the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic was arrested again one day later, this time in connection with a deadly shooting, according to authorities in Hillsborough County.
USA Today reports that Joseph, 26, was among more than 100 inmates released last month as officials tried to slow the spread of COVID 19 inside correctional facilities. He had originally been arrested on drug charges, including heroin possession, and was being held while that case moved forward.
Per the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Joseph was arrested the day after his release. Authorities allege he was involved in the fatal shooting of a man whose name was not made public. He is charged with second degree murder, along with felon in possession of a firearm, heroin and drug paraphernalia charges, and resisting an officer with violence.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement that Joseph “took advantage of this health emergency to commit crimes while he was out of jail awaiting resolution of a low level, non violent offense.”
The sheriff’s office said Joseph’s case is the only one in the county where a person released because of the pandemic has been accused of a new crime. Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Prisons reported that 446 federal inmates had tested positive for the virus nationwide as of Tuesday, including 14 who had died.
Joseph is being held without bond. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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