AN inmate who was mistakenly released over coronavirus fears and killed someone just one day later had an arrest history of 35 charges, cops admit.

Joseph Edwards Williams, 26, was let out of jail on March 19 - with more than 100 other inmates - and fatally shot a man the following day, according to the The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

4 Joseph Edwards Williams was let out of prison amid coronavirus fears and fatally shot a man a day later, cops say Credit: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

4 164 inmates were released from Orient Road Jail on March 19 Credit: Google Maps

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said Joseph Williams was let out of jail because he was eligible for bond and didn't have the funds to post it, FOX 13 reported.

The convicted felon had 35 prior arrests and was one of the 164 inmates released from Orient Road Jail in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Prisoners were released by the county jail last month to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

"We didn't go back at the time and look at people's criminal history," Chronister said Thursday, according to FOX 13.

"That has since changed. People that we are releasing moving forward, we are checking their criminal history prior to being released."

Chronister said Williams had been in jail on a drug charge, which is considered a non-violent offense.

Williams was arrested Monday on a warrant in connection to the homicide, which took place in Tampa’s Progress Village neighborhood.

4 The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Joseph Edwards Williams was arrested on a warrant Monday night Credit: Google Maps

Chronister previously said in a statement: “There is no question Joseph Williams took advantage of this health emergency to commit crimes while he was out of jail awaiting resolution of a low-level, non-violent offense.

“As a result, I call on the State Attorney to prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”

Williams appeared in video court on Tuesday afternoon.

Chronister added: “Judges, prosecutors, and Sheriffs around the country are facing difficult decisions during this health crisis with respect to balancing public health and public safety.

“Sheriffs in Florida and throughout our country have released non-violent, low-level offenders to protect our deputies and the jail population from an outbreak.

"Our commitment as an agency is to keep this community safe and enforce the law.”

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Williams is now facing new charges of resisting an officer with violence, second-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia, FOX 13 reported.

He remains in jail on a no bond status.

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