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Former Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Kevin Scott
Morris yesterday was found guilty of the theft of computer services in
excess of $2.500. Morris pleaded no contest to the charge and Halifax
County Circuit Court Judge William Wellons sentenced him to five years
in prison with all time suspended upon his completion of probation and
counseling. All other local charges lodged against Morris were dropped.
In sentencing Morris, the judge commented, "It is sad you have put
yourself in this position. You are fortunate to have had good family
support. I hope that you will put your potential to good use."
Morris, who served as the director of the County IDA from August 2002
to June 30, 2004, was originally charged with possession of child
pornography. Evidence was discovered by the current IDA director who
was searching for business entries that he thought Morris had left on
the computer owned by the Authority.
When the current director found images of child pornography on the
computer he contacted the chairman of the Authority, who in turn,
sought help from Commonwealth's Attorney Kim White.
White said she sought legal advice from the Attorney General's Office
and the computer was turned over for forensic evaluation by experts.
When White received the results of the forensic evaluation, she said
South Boston Police officers went to Georgia where Morris worked and
lived to question him. The Virginia charges led to an investigation in
Gwinnett County, Georgia where Morris faces numerous charges involving
the possession of child pornography.
According to White, the felony conviction in Virginia will prevent
Morris from being treated as a first offender in Georgia, a status that
could result in an eventual dismissal of the charges.
"Our office has been in contact with the District Attorney's office in
Gwinnett County every step of the way," said Mrs. White. "Given that
the offenses in Georgia are much more recent in time and that Mr.
Morris resides in Georgia, we agreed with Georgia that whatever we
could do to strengthen their case was the proper avenue to follow. All
of us in Virginia have indicated our willingness to cooperate and
testify, if needed, in any prosecution in Georgia," she said.
White added that as she understands it, the District Attorney in
Gwinnett County is aggressively seeking a conviction and a possible
period of incarceration. Morris, she said, is being monitored in his
home electronically by Georgia officials.
In addition to the suspended sentence Morris was ordered to pay $620.50
in court costs.