Lawyer accused of storing 1,000 pounds of marijuana at law office enters guilty plea

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Lawyer accused of storing 1,000 kilos of marijuana at legislation workplace enters responsible plea

By Debra Cassens Weiss

October 4, 2024, 9:14 am CDT

A Virginia lawyer has been briefly suspended after pleading responsible for his function in a conspiracy to distribute giant quantities of marijuana.

Lawyer Matthew Taylor Morris, 38, of Virginia Seaside, Virginia, was suspended efficient Oct. 1 and ordered to point out trigger why his legislation license shouldn’t be additional suspended or revoked, in response to a Sept. 27 show-cause order.

The Authorized Occupation Weblog famous the non permanent suspension and a Sept. 24 press launch on Morris’ responsible plea.

Morris allowed different contributors within the conspiracy to retailer 1,000 kilos of marijuana and money proceeds at his Virginia Seaside legislation agency, the Prime Tier Legislation Group, prosecutors mentioned.

The road worth of the marijuana merchandise ranged from $800,000 to $1.6 million, in response to an announcement of details signed by Morris and filed with the show-cause order.

Morris additionally allowed a co-conspirator to retailer money proceeds from marijuana gross sales at his legislation workplace, the assertion mentioned. In a single photograph taken on the legislation workplace, a co-conspirator posed with greater than $100,000 in money. On the wall behind him are Morris’ diplomas and authorized credentials.

As compensation, Morris acquired a part of his month-to-month lease for his legislation workplace from a co-conspirator “for a number of months starting in late 2021”, prosecutors mentioned. Morris additionally acquired 70 kilos of THC merchandise, on the price of 15 kilos per thirty days, that he might promote to his clients.

Morris additionally allegedly acquired a handgun from a co-conspirator, despite the fact that Morris unlawfully used Adderall, cocaine, opiates and THC, prosecutors mentioned.

Morris is a former prosecutor in Portsmouth, Virginia, who resigned from the commonwealth legal professional’s workplace Sept. 6, 4 days earlier than the indictment, WVEC reported right here and right here.

Morris joined the prosecution workplace three months after the drug conspiracy allegedly led to Could 2022, in response to the Virginian-Pilot.

Morris pleaded responsible to conspiracy to own with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2025.

Morris is represented by lawyer James O. Broccoletti within the prison case. He didn’t instantly reply to an ABA Journal electronic mail looking for remark.