Lawrence County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Failure To Register
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Lawrence County, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of failing to register as a sex offender after engaging in interstate travel, United States AttorneyDavid J. Hickton announced today.
Samuel Morris, 50, of Enon Valley, Pa., pleaded guilty on June 7, 2011, to one count before United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from Dec. 23, 2008, to March 5, 2010, Morris, after having been convicted of indecent assault of a child under 13 years of age in the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas, traveled interstate and knowingly failed to register or to update his registration as a sex offender.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for Oct. 3, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal SentencingGuidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Ohio Attorney General's Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Morris.
