He pleaded guilty in federal court to five felony counts.
Moreland did not want to take his case to trial which was scheduled for next month.
He stood in front of a judge and admitted to crimes that will send him to prison for years.
Moreland came into the courtroom looking older than his sixty years.
He wore a green jail outfit and had a full gray beard.
He spoke softly as he admitted to obstruction of justice, witness tampering, stealing money from an organization that receives federal funds, destroying documents and conspiracy to retaliate against a witness.
U. S. Attorney Don Cochran said after the guilty plea that Moreland's behavior violated the public's trust.
"He was sworn to uphold the law instead of doing that he violated the oath and dishonored the robe he wore," Cochran said.
Prosecutors initially charged Moreland with ten criminal counts but he pleaded guilty to five.
One charge stemmed from undercover video taken by an FBI informant inside Moreland's home last year.
It captured Moreland talking about planting drugs on his former mistress in an attempt to discredit her.
Moreland's defense attorney Peter Strianse said with the evidence against Moreland it was the right decision not to go to trial.
Moreland also pleaded guilty to stealing cash from the Drug Court Foundation which he helped start.
Nan Casey who worked along side Moreland has already pleaded guilty in the case and provided undercover audio of Moreland talking about taking cash from self paying clients at Drug Court.
Federal sentencing guidelines suggest Moreland could get up to four years in prison, but his attorney will argue for less.
He says Moreland has been kept in solitary confinement for his protection and his time in jail has taken a toll.
"Make no mistake Judge Moreland has felt the full force of this prosecution," Strianse said.
Prosecutors say they will push for a tough sentence, but it will be up to U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw.
Sentencing is set for August 31.
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Former Judge Casey Moreland Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges
Looks like his troubles are getting worse.
ReplyDeleteHe deserves jail - lots of jail.