photo by: Kansas Department of Corrections

Jordan Lee Morris

A Lawrence man pleaded no contest Wednesday in Douglas County District Court to intimidating a witness and possessing a firearm as part of a plea deal in which the state dismissed additional gun and theft charges.

The man, Jordan Lee Morris, 36, entered the plea to resolve multiple cases he was facing. He was originally charged with two counts of felony defacing a firearm by removing the identification markings, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, one count of possession of methamphetamine, one felony count of aggravated intimidation of a witness and one felony count of theft. The state dismissed all but the intimidation and one possession of a firearm charge as part of the plea agreement.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Tatum told the court the factual basis of the charges that Morris was pleading to was that on or about Aug. 31 Morris told a woman that he had been robbed by a man and that he wanted revenge. Morris told the woman he was going to shoot the man and then threatened the woman that if she told anyone he would harm her also. The woman then called the police, Tatum said.

Morris was on parole at the time, and police waited outside the Lawrence Parole Office, 1800 E. 23rd St., when Morris was meeting with his parole supervisor around 2 p.m. When he left the parole office, police pulled him over and found a 9mm handgun in his possession.

As part of Morris’ plea agreement he has also been ordered to pay $399 in restitution to Orscheln Farm and Home for taking an air compressor and clothing on June 6, 2022.

Morris is on parole for felony convictions in 2018 in Douglas County for similar crimes, including possession of a weapon by a felon, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and criminal threat, according to court records.

He was sentenced to 17 months in prison with 12 months of post-release supervision in January of 2019 by Judge Paula Martin, according to court records. He also has a conviction for felony aggravated battery in 2010 in Douglas County.

Tatum said that the plea agreement recommends 37 months in prison for Morris’ conviction. Judge Amy Hanley noted that even though there is an agreement between the state and the defense, she is not bound by that agreement and Morris could face up to 69 months for both charges.

Morris is represented by defense attorney Hatem Chahine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 31, 2023.