Running for re-election, he is suspended with pay; Facing removal from office

McALESTER – Pittsburg County Sheriff Chris Morris pled not guilty Thursday, June 6, to embezzlement of state property and bribery by a public official.

A preliminary hearing on those two charges has been set for 10 a.m., Aug. 19.

After a Pittsburg County judge recused from the case, it was given to Creek County Associate District Judge Laura Farris, who has ordered an interim suspension of Morris.

On May 31, the Board of County Commissioners filed a motion to remove Morris from office. The hearing on that motion has been set for July 15. Morris, who has been in office since 2016, is up for re-election on June 18. He has one challenger, Republican Randy Hass.

According to a court affidavit, Morris illegally sold his personal Polaris utility vehicle to the sheriff ’s office for $29,000, through Vicars Powersports.

Also, according to court documents Morris has been accused of negotiating free repairs for his Polaris UTV in exchange for letting Advantage Truck and Auto upcharge repairs for two Pittsburg County sheriff ’s office vehicles.

Morris has been the Pittsburg County sheriff since 2016 and is running for reelection in the Republican primary on June 18.

He is suspended until his removal trial, which is scheduled to begin July 22 in Pittsburg County Courthouse.