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A Palm Harbor psychiatrist is behind bars after the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office arrested him Tuesday on multiple counts of possession of child pornography. FL psychiatrist William Hervey arrested for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material.
William Hervey, 61, was taken into custody after detectives executed a search warrant at his home and seized several electronic devices. Upon initial examination, investigators say they discovered images of children between the ages of 6 and 8 years in various sexual poses.
The disturbing findings did not stop there. After a more thorough review of the seized devices, detectives say they uncovered additional files — including videos and images of children as young as four years old engaged in sexual acts.
"Through the Child Victim Identification Program, the images were identified as being a part of a documented Russian child pornography series," detectives stated.
The case originated when detectives received information about a child sexual abuse material file being accessed and shared online. Using investigative techniques, PCSO says they were able to identify Hervey as the suspect and moved forward with the search warrant.
PCSO identifies Hervey as a board-certified psychiatrist and the owner of Advantage Mental Health Center in Clearwater. Sunbiz records from the Florida Department of State list him as president of the company. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail and faces multiple counts of possession of child pornography. The investigation remains ongoing.
This arrest comes against the backdrop of a sharp rise in similar cases across the county. During a June 17 press conference regarding a separate case involving a Seminole man also charged with possession of child sexual abuse material, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri revealed that tips related to such cases received by his office in 2026 are up by a staggering 73%.
Gualtieri described the situation as "off the charts" and admitted it is "not getting better," expressing deep frustration over the trend. He said he sees no clear solution beyond conducting thorough investigations and continuing to work on cases like these in hopes of deterring others.
The factual information above was sourced from wtsp.com as of July 2, 2026.
The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a mental health professional — someone entrusted with the care of the most vulnerable — faces charges tied to the exploitation of children, the legal questions that follow can feel overwhelming for patients, parents, and families. Criminal charges may dominate the headlines, but the civil justice system offers survivors a separate and powerful path of their own. Michael Haggard, a Florida sexual abuse attorney with decades of experience representing survivors, breaks down what families need to know, what legal options are available, and where to turn when the person who was supposed to help becomes the source of harm.
Editor Darla Medina: When a psychiatrist — someone in a position of trust over vulnerable patients — is arrested on charges related to child sexual abuse material, what should former patients and their families be thinking about from a legal standpoint?
Attorney Michael Haggard: The first thing people need to understand is that a criminal arrest and a civil lawsuit are two entirely separate tracks. A criminal case is brought by the state, and victims have no direct control over it. But civil law gives survivors and their families their own voice. They can file an independent claim regardless of how the criminal case unfolds.
Medina: Are there grounds for a civil lawsuit even if someone was not directly abused by the individual in question?
Haggard: Potentially, yes. In Florida, civil liability can extend beyond the direct perpetrator. If a practice, a clinic, or even a licensing body had reason to know — or should have known — that something was wrong and failed to act, they may bear responsibility as well. That is something an experienced attorney would examine very carefully.
Medina: What about the professional licensing angle? Can patients take action through regulatory channels as well?
Haggard: Absolutely. Anyone can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Health against a licensed professional. That process runs parallel to both the criminal and civil tracks. A board can suspend or revoke a license independent of what happens in a courtroom, and that matters deeply to people who trusted this person with their mental health care.
Medina: What would you say to someone who is now questioning whether they were harmed and is unsure whether to come forward?
Haggard: I would tell them that their concerns are valid and worth exploring. Speaking with an attorney costs nothing at the consultation stage, and Florida law has specific provisions protecting survivors of sexual abuse. Coming forward is never easy, but the law exists to support people in exactly these situations. No one should have to navigate this alone.
If you or someone you love has been affected by the actions of a trusted medical professional, you do not have to face this alone. The Legal Herald is here to connect you with an experienced attorney who can walk you through your options at no cost and with no obligation. Every moment matters, and the right legal guidance can make all the difference. Contact today for your free, no-obligation consultation and take the first step toward the answers and accountability your family deserves.
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