Former Sheriff Pleads Guilty

Florida Sheriff Former Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris pleads guilty to stealing thousands of dollars.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Tue, May 19, 2009 - 4:40 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, May 19, 2009 - 4:48 pm CST

Former Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris admits he's guilty of stealing thousands of dollars by using his employees to defraud the federal government.

Morris pleaded not guilty in April to the six count indictment accusing him of bribery, theft, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy, but Tuesday he appeared in federal court to change his plea.

"I apologize to you and to the court," the former sheriff told the judge after prosecutors outlined how he stole the money.

Morris admitted to giving his employees fake bonuses with the understanding that the employees would give some of the money back to Morris to be given to a charity. No charity ever received the money. Instead, prosecutors say Morris and Teresa Adams, the sheriff's former Director of Finance, pocketed the cash.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall Hensel told the court Morris stole at least $114,000 between May 2007 and February 2009.

When the former sheriff was arrested in February in Las Vegas, Hensel says investigators found $5,000 in his pockets and another $30,000 in a hotel safe.

Morris' sentencing is scheduled for July 28th. He faces up to 85 years in prison.

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BamaBob Says:

Wed, May 20, 2009 at 6:48 am

I don’t guess Florida has the same Alabama deal sheriffs have where they can feed inmates cat food and pocket the rest of the food fund. Poor guy…..

BSB1958 Says:

Wed, May 20, 2009 at 6:22 am

Megalomania is a powerful drug just ask Nancy Pelosi

rmseek1234 Says:

Tue, May 19, 2009 at 11:01 pm

Ahhh, the comedy team. Good for LE getting a bad egg off the streets and out of the uniform. No ickthus, he’ll probably be out in way less than 10, after all dope dealers and those thugs with rap sheets a mile long spend so little time in jail. That is until they get arrested again and yell police brutality.

ickthus Says:

Tue, May 19, 2009 at 9:12 pm

he needs 20yr so he can’t get out untill 10yrs

Snake Hunter Says:

Tue, May 19, 2009 at 8:53 pm

Give this crooked Sheriff at least 10yrs,and send a message to other Sheriff’s.I know Sheriff’s get kick backs from the Vendors the county does business with,as well as BAIL BONDSMEN.They are no better than common thieves.Also these Scum get money under the table for “PROMOTION’S.

BamaBob Says:

Tue, May 19, 2009 at 8:48 pm

Yeah, amazing ain’t it…...

What happened with our last sheriff and all his in-laws? What about that judge that is awaiting his trial? What became of that assistant DA that suddenly resigned after a very long career in the DA’s office?

And, that’s just a few of the highlights in Mobile County! lol