A DeSoto County detention deputy is facing a felony charge after the sheriff’s office says its own IT department uncovered a security breach on a shared agency computer. Douglas Chirinos, who had worked for the sheriff’s office since 2025, was arrested Monday, Oct. 26, and fired. Investigators say he bypassed security systems and accessed other employees’ user accounts without authorization.
What started with a flag for unauthorized program downloads on Oct. 23 led to a deeper review. Detectives discovered screenshots from surveillance cameras showing partially nude female inmates, along with criminal case information Chirinos had no reason to view. He’s now charged with a third-degree felony involving unauthorized access to computer systems and electronic devices. Sheriff Potter said he is “extremely disturbed” by what the IT department found and that Chirinos will be held accountable.
Detectives are notifying the victims they’ve identified, and the investigation remains ongoing. The case raises serious questions about how sensitive surveillance footage is controlled and monitored inside local jails across the Suncoast. For residents here, trust in public institutions comes down to moments like this, when an agency has to police its own.
What safeguards would you like to see for surveillance access at local law enforcement agencies? Share your thoughts in the comments.
