Former Bullard Officer’s Trial Date Changed

TYLER � The trial date for former Bullard police officer Steven Wayne Morris, 27, accused of sexual assault of a child, was rescheduled Monday due to a request for a continuance from Morris� attorney. Morris� case will go to trial June 20 at 10:00 at the Smith County Courthouse. If convicted of the second-degree felony, Morris could face 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Morris, of Jacksonville, was arrested by Texas Ranger Sgt. Brent Davis on Aug. 19, 2010. On Sept. 9, 2010, Morris was released from the Smith County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Morris was indicted on March 10, 2011. Morris allegedly had a year-long sexual relationship with a female student at Bullard High School, said Bullard Police Chief Gary Lewis. When the relationship began, the student was 15 years old, Lewis said. After seeing Morris� phone records, Lewis terminated Morris, who had been employed by the Bullard Police Department for two years.