"It was very disturbing and disgusting. This person also violated their oath of office and that's something we don't take lightly. This man crossed the line," said Chief Norman McNickle, Stillwater Police Dept.
Chief McNickle says a citizen called in a tip that Louis Morris, who is a school resource officer at Stillwater Junior High was having an inappropriate relationship with a 15 -year -old girl. So he started an internal investigation.
"After they started their investigation they realized the allegations were more serious and gave rise to a criminal investigation," said Rob Hudson, Payne County District Attorney.
OSBI was then given the case and Tuesday Morris was arrested on three counts of lewd acts with a minor and two counts of rape by instrumentation. According to court documents, the 15-year-old girl used to be involved with Morris' son. She claims she and Louis Morris were going to get married and the relationship was consensual. But Oklahoma law states otherwise.
"There is no such thing as consent under 16. Another aspect of this case is that teachers, law enforcement or people employed by the school, it has a special statute that relates to the activity or relations they can have with students," said Hudson.
Morris' police powers were revoked before his arrest and Tuesday he was suspended without pay. He has the right to have a hearing about his status. The D.A. says investigating Morris has been difficult and he find this case troubling.
"It's troubling when we think our school are safe then we have someone from law enforcement that has these allegations against him," said Hudson.
Chief McNickle says a citizen called in a tip that Louis Morris, who is a school resource officer at Stillwater Junior High was having an inappropriate relationship with a 15 -year -old girl. So he started an internal investigation.
"After they started their investigation they realized the allegations were more serious and gave rise to a criminal investigation," said Rob Hudson, Payne County District Attorney.
OSBI was then given the case and Tuesday Morris was arrested on three counts of lewd acts with a minor and two counts of rape by instrumentation. According to court documents, the 15-year-old girl used to be involved with Morris' son. She claims she and Louis Morris were going to get married and the relationship was consensual. But Oklahoma law states otherwise.
"There is no such thing as consent under 16. Another aspect of this case is that teachers, law enforcement or people employed by the school, it has a special statute that relates to the activity or relations they can have with students," said Hudson.
Morris' police powers were revoked before his arrest and Tuesday he was suspended without pay. He has the right to have a hearing about his status. The D.A. says investigating Morris has been difficult and he find this case troubling.
"It's troubling when we think our school are safe then we have someone from law enforcement that has these allegations against him," said Hudson.
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Information: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090617_298_0_STILLW533841
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