former hamblen county deputy arrested for civil rights violations

GREENEVILLE, TENNESSEE — DEXTER L. MORRIS, JR., age 34 of Morristown, Tennessee, was arrested today in Greeneville by agents of the Federal Bureau of  Investigation (FBI) on charges involving  civil rights violations and making false statements to the FBI.  This arrest was announced by FBI Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Richard Lambert and United States Attorney James R. "Russ" Dedrick. 

Morris had an initial appearance later that morning  in the United States District Court in Greeneville before the Honorable Dennis H. Inman, United States Magistrate Judge.

The details of the charges are outlined in the criminal complaint  and supporting affadavit which are  attached to this press release and are filed as public records in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. 

In summary, the affidavit alleges that Morris, while a deputy sheriff with the Hamblen County, Tennessee Sheriff's Office, willfully deprived a woman, identified as "JL" in the complaint to protect her privacy, of her constitutional rights by forcing the woman to engage in sexual acts after a traffic stop on August 24, 2005.  Morris is also charged with violating the constitutional rights of a second woman, identified as "NE," by having the woman expose her breasts in exchange for Morris not filing a charge for a traffic offense.  Morris is further charged with making false statements to FBI agents during an April 2007 interview when he falsely claimed he could not recall whether he had ever had sexual contact with any woman he encountered during a traffic stop.

United States Attorney Dedrick said, "The protection of our citizens and their civil rights is of paramount importance in our society.  It is important that those freedoms guaranteed to all citizens be strictly enforced, especially when a law enforcement officer violates his/her oath and attacks the very citizen they are responsible for protecting."

Morris faces maximum penalties of up to life imprisonment and fines of up to $600,000.  Morris was released on bond to return for a preliminary hearing or arraignment on October 14, 208 at 1:30 p.m.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Hamblen County Sheriff's Office.

Members of the public are reminded that these are only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

For additional information, please contact United States Attorney Russ Dedrick, 865-545-4167, AUSA Neil Smith, 423-639-6759, or Public Information Officer Sharry Dedman-Beard, 865-545-4167.