DA investigator, judge, drug court personnel

A 28-year-old Eufaula man has been charged with threatening the lives of a judge, an investigator for the district attorney and employees of the drug court.

e four counts are all misdemeanors, but Morgan Dean Shotwell still faces years in prison if convicted.

Each charge carries a maximum of six months imprisonment, and in addition the district attorney has filed an application to revoke two suspended sentences he received in February on felony charges of grand larceny and false declaration of ownership to a pawnbroker.

In a plea agreement, Shotwell’s sentences in February were suspended with the understanding he must enter the drug court program.

If he fails to complete drug court, the suspended sentences would be revoked and he would have to spend three years in prison, according to court records.

In March, Shotwell reportedly failed a drug test, testing positive for fentanyl.

At a March 30 hearing the district attorney’s office requested a 15-day sanction against Shotwell and Associate District Judge Brendon Bridges granted the request.

A short time later Shotwell allegedly threatened Bridges, District Attorney Investigator Rob Rumble, Drug Court Coordinator Gary Smith and drug court staff member Tiffany Swango.

In a probable cause affidavit filed by DA, Investigator Kevin Branscum stated that on April 16 at a meeting of Narcotics Anonymous/Alcoholics Anonymous several people at the meeting reported that Shotwell threatened to shoot various people.

“The defendant continued by making statements that ‘they are going to push me until I snap,’” Branscum said.

Concerned members attending the meeting met with law enforcement “and reported it felt as if he was about to commit a Columbine-style shooting.”

Shotwell was re-arrested on April 20. District Judge Mike Hogan set Shotwell’s hearing date on the four charges of threatening to perform an act of violence on May 9 at 9 a.m.