On March 19, a drug suspect with a lengthy rap sheet was released as part of efforts in Hillsborough County, Florida to thin out the jail population amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

One day later, the sheriff says he committed murder.

According to the sheriff’s office, Joseph Williams was one of 100 inmates given bond as part of an effort to lower the risk of COVID-19 spreading within detention facilities and to protect the inmates, deputies and civilians working within the jails.

Now, sheriff’s officials said he was arrested for a murder that took place the day after his release.

WFLA reports:

“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,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “As a result, I call on the State Attorney to prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”...

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

Williams appeared Tuesday afternoon in video court for his new charges: second degree murder with a firearm, a gun charge and resisting an officer...

After his court appearance, he is now being held in jail with a combined bond of more than $250,000.

“Every murder, every violent crime, especially those involving a gun, is a sickening example of the worst in our community, especially at a time when our community is working relentlessly to fight against the spread of this deadly COVID-19,” Chronister said.

They considered him a low-level offender despite two felony convictions including one for burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and felon in possession of a firearm, along with five misdemeanor convictions.

In addition, throughout the course of his criminal history, Williams has been arrested for 35 charges in total.

As Laura Ingraham asks: