An assistant state attorney for Hillsborough County was arrested Wednesday after he admitted to viewing child pornography showing girls as young as 6 years old, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Detectives began their investigation on July 30, 2024, after receiving information about child pornography being shared online. They identified 32-year-old William Jones as the suspect. According to detectives, the files depicted girls between the ages of 6 and 10 engaging in sexual acts. About 10 months later, on May 28, 2025, detectives interviewed Jones, who reportedly admitted to viewing and transmitting the files. Jones was arrested and charged with three counts of possession of child pornography, three counts of transmission of child pornography and two counts of transmission of material harmful to a minor. He was booked into the Orient Road Jail. Jones had been with the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office since 2021 as an assistant state attorney within the felony bureau and trial division. State Attorney Suzy Lopez confirmed that Jones was fired "immediately following his arrest." “I am deeply disturbed and sickened by [William] Jones’ actions, and he was terminated from his position as an Assistant State Attorney immediately following his arrest. As prosecutors, our duty is to protect the public, especially our children. There is no place in this office or community for this behavior," State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a statement. "I want to thank law enforcement for their important work in identifying and arresting child predators. No one is above the law, and this office will never tolerate anyone who violates the trust of the people we serve," she continued. Jones previously worked as an assistant state attorney in the First Judicial Circuit from October 2019 to September 2021.