DeSoto County: Deputy fired after nude inmate photos found on shared PC

DeSoto County fired and arrested a detention deputy after investigators found screenshots of partially nude female inmates on a shared agency computer. Sheriff James Potter called the discovery unacceptable during a Monday announcement in Arcadia, Florida.

The sheriff's office IT department flagged a potential security breach on Oct. 23. They suspected Deputy Douglas Chirinos of downloading unauthorized programs onto the machine, a violation of agency policy.

While reviewing the computer, investigators located several images taken from surveillance cameras. Some screenshots included details from criminal cases that Chirinos had no official reason to access.

The deputy also bypassed security systems to enter the user accounts of other agency employees. He had worked for the department since 2025 before his termination.

Chirinos was booked into the DeSoto County Jail for offenses involving unauthorized use of computers and networks. The charge is a third-degree felony.

Authorities have not released the total number of affected inmates or the duration of the unauthorized access. Detectives are currently identifying victims and notifying them. Sheriff Potter stated, "I am extremely disturbed by what our IT department discovered on a shared agency computer." He added that Chirinos will be held accountable for his actions.