by Jamie Burch
Published: Fri, February 27, 2009 - 11:02 am CST
Last Updated: Fri, February 27, 2009 - 12:00 pm CST
BREAKING NEWS11:52 a.m.
- Sheriff Charlie Morris was arrested by federal agents in Las Vegas.
- According to the Justice Department, Morris and his Director of Administration and Finance, Teresa Adams, created fictitious bonuses for Sheriff’s Department employees. The employees were then told to return some or all of the bonuses because the money was being donated to charities.
- Sheriff Morris is expected to appear before a federal judge today in Nevada before he is transferred to Pensacola
- Adams is expected to make an initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge in Pensacola today.
11:02 a.m.
Federal prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris.
According to the warrant, Morris stole money meant for federal programs. He's also charged with wire fraud and several other offenses.
Florida Governor Charlie Crist issued an executive order immediately suspending Morris from office calling it "in the best interest of the residents of Okaloosa County, and the citizens of the State Of Florida."
Crist also named Edward Spooner as the interim sheriff.
Morris has been the Sheriff in Okalosa County since 1996.
Charlie Morris' Bio
BORN: Longview, TX, August 29, 1949
EDUCATION: Public schools, Jackson, MS; University of Southern
Mississippi, Hattiesburg, BS Degree, Criminal Justice,
MS Degree, Criminal Justice Management: FBI National
Academy, 160th Session; National Sheriffs' Institute
Executive Development Program; Florida Criminal
Justice Executive Institute's Chief Executive Seminar;
FBI Leadership Executive Development Seminar.
WIFE: Barbara
CHILDREN: Four
CAREER:
- Police Officer, Jackson, MS Police Department, three years Chief of Police, two years
- 18 years USAF Security Police Squadrons; attaining the rank of Major
- Police Officer, Fort Walton Beach Police Department, four years
- Elected Sheriff 1996, re-elected 2000 2004, and 2008.
MILITARY: USAF, 18 years, Security Police Officer, Rank of Major
HONORS & AFFILIATIONS:
- Four Meritorious Service Medals, USAF
- Two Air Force Commendation Medals
- 1995 Police Officer of the Year, Fort Walton Beach Police Department
- Adjunct Professor, University of South Dakota, Park College, University of Maryland, Troy State University and Okaloosa-Walton College
- Appointed by Governor Bush to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission
- President for Florida Sheriff's Association
- Chairman, Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Policy Board
- Appointed by Governor Bush to the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Council, serving as Chairman
- Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation 1999-2004
- Florida Domestic Security Oversight Board
- Co-Chair of Northwest Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force
- Appointed to Commission on Mental Health and Substance Abuse by Governor Bush on Oct. 22, 1999
- Chairman, Board of Directors, Florida Sheriff's Association 2004-2005
- Past President of Board of Directors for Okaloosa County American Heart Association
- Domestic Violence Steering Committee
- Board of Managers for Florida Sheriff's Self-Insurance & Workers Compensation Fund
- Board of Directors for the Children's Advocacy Center
- Board of Directors for the NW Florida YMCA
Don't miss out on breaking news when you're at work or on the go. Sign up for News 5 Text Alerts that can be sent to your cell phone or PDA. News 5 can also send you breaking news alerts to your e-mail.
Former Sheriff Pleads Guilty
Email to a Friend 
Printer Friendly 
Recently Commented On
Alabama Ethics Commission Found…
Toddler Shot In Apparent Drive-by…
Customers Chase After Bank Robber
Revenue Commission Missing 20k
Jaguars Ground Falcons