Son of high-ranking colonel in Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested for assault with knife

The son of a top-ranking Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy was arrested Monday on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

It's the third Hillsborough County arrest for George Zachary Chronister, the 23-year-old son of Col. Chad Chronister, who heads the sheriff's Department of Operational Support.

According to the Tampa Police Department, Chronister was arrested after using a knife to cut his victim's right cheek, back and side. The victim suffered injuries that were not life-threatening and was taken to Tampa General Hospital by Tampa Fire Rescue.

Several eyewitnesses identified Chronister and he was arrested without incident, according to Tampa police.

Col. Chronister declined to comment, said Sheriff's Office spokesman Larry McKinnon.

"This incident has absolutely nothing to do with Col. Chronister's employment at HCSO," McKinnon said. "This is a personal matter between Colonel Chronister and his family."

George Chronister's first arrest was in late 2013, for driving with a suspended license. He was arrested in 2014 for petty theft of items worth $100 or less.

One of four high ranking colonels, who are second in command to the sheriff and chief deputy, Col. Chronister has worked in the sheriff's office since 1992, mainly in various covert operations. His Department of Operational Support oversees all community outreach, deputy training and homeland security operations for the Sheriff's Office.