'I have no liquid funds at all': Morris appears in court, requests public defender (UPDATED with PHOTOS)

PENSACOLA - Suspended Sheriff Charlie Morris, a retired Air Force major who until recently was pulling down six figures as Okaloosa County's ranking law enforcement officer, can't afford a lawyer.

"He does not have the funds to retain private counsel," said Lyndia Padgett Spears, a DeFuniak Springs attorney who appeared on Morris' behalf Monday at the federal courthouse in Pensacola.

There Morris confirmed he was aware of the charges of fraud, theft and money laundering he is facing and petitioned to be represented by a public defender.

Morris affirmed what U.S. Magistrate Judge Miles Davis read from an affidavit - that he was no longer working and that all his real estate holdings were "totally encumbered.

"I have no liquid funds at all," Morris told the magistrate.

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To read the FBI's complaint against Morris, click here.

To see photos of Charlie Morris leaving the hearing, click here.

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Davis accepted Morris' application and assigned the federal Public Defender's Office to his case. At that point, Spears' role ended and a federal public defender was appointed.

The FBI has accused Morris of offering significant bonuses to Sheriff's Office employees on the condition that most of the money put into the employee's account was kicked back to him, Agents say Morris used the "kick backs" for personal expenses.

The sheriff, who entered his 12th year in office in January, has not yet been officially charged with the crimes he is accused of.

Morris gave up his right to a preliminary hearing of the charges against him Monday, so a grand jury will be convened at an as yet un-scheduled date to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed toward trial.

Davis ordered Morris to comply with seven "restrictions" while he awaits trial.

Morris was ordered to turn in his passport but told the judge he'd lost his. 

He is limited to traveling within the Northern District of Florida.

He cannot use alcohol to excess or use controlled drugs that aren't prescription.

He was asked to turn in his firearms, but Morris said he already had.

Morris also has to report to pretrial services and follow all of their requirements, which include making a phone call to them every Monday before noon. 

Morris stood behind Spears as he left the federal courthouse and had no comment for reporters.

Spears offered a brief summary of what had transpired in court, but she, too, had little to say.

As reporters pressed the sheriff to say something, Morris slipped into a pair of dark sunglasses and he and Spears walked away, several television reporters at his heels.