SERVING ASCENSION, ASSUMPTION & ST. JAMES PARISHES

Judge Orders Local Contractor Matthew Morris to be Held Without Bond

On February 8, 2017, Matthew Morris, owner of Complete Construction Contractors of Baton Rouge, LA., was arrested by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office on numerous charges related to residential contractor fraud following the Great Flood of 2016. The Honorable Judge Jessie LeBlanc set Morris’ bail in the amount of $635,000. Upon posting bond, Morris was subsequently arrested by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office and Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office on similar charges. While incarcerated in the Livingston Parish Detention Center, investigators with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office charged Morris with 23 additional charges relating to residential contractor fraud. The Honorable Judge Tess Stromberg ordered that Morris appear in court on March 9, 2017 for an Article 313 Contradictory Hearing to determine whether or not Morris should be granted a bond on the new charges. Upon completion of the hearing, Judge Stromberg ordered that Morris be held with no bond. Judge Stromberg made this ruling after hearing testimony from the prosecution that proved Morris to be a potential flight risk. On March 20, 2017, Morris will appear in court in front of Judge LeBlanc to determine whether or not the original bond will be revoked. Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples is the lead prosecutor on this case.