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A 49-year-old man from Kauai accused of shooting a federal officer during a 16-hour standoff Oct. 21 will make his initial appearance today after being hospitalized, according to federal court records. Robert Melvin Morris is charged with assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. His initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rom Trader has been continued twice after Morris was hospitalized for health reasons. Morris was scheduled to be discharged from the hospital Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion to have Morris held without bail at the Federal Detention Center, Honolulu. Federal prosecutors contend Morris is a flight risk and a danger to the community if he is released before trial. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Albanese is prosecuting the case. Morris’ attorney is Assistant Federal Public Defender Jacquelyn Esser. On Oct. 21 at about 9 a.m., U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents, backed by Honolulu Police Department officers and state Sheriff’s deputies, executed a federal search warrant in Kapahulu in the 3200 block of Herbert Street. While law enforcement was outside attempting to gain entry, Morris fired several shots at them from inside the house and hit a state Sheriff’s deputy, according to federal court The warrant identified Morris and his wife as the residents of the house they searched. The 16-hour standoff displaced residents and closed streets near the Kapahulu corridor at the edge of Waikiki. A state Sheriff’s deputy working as a DEA task force officer was struck by one of those rounds. “Law enforcement fired shots into the residence during the exchange,” but Morris was not wounded in the gunfire. Morris was seen on a Facebook livestream from inside his apartment during the standoff, speaking of his plight as an illegal drug trafficker after alleging he told law enforcement he would surrender within 24 hours. On Oct. 22, just before 1 a.m., Morris surrendered to law enforcement. After being advised of his rights, Morris allegedly “admitted he had fired the round that struck the law enforcement officer” and that he did so using a .40 caliber handgun. Morris also allegedly admitted knowing he was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Federal agents and police found the Taurus .40 caliber Model 740 handgun that Morris allegedly admitted using to shoot the Sheriff’s deputy. Law enforcement also found about 45 rounds of .40 caliber S&W ammunition in the apartment Morris shared with his wife. On Feb. 17, 2009, a “criminal judgment was entered against Morris” reflecting convictions for a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of an unregistered silencer, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. “As a result of these felony convictions, Morris is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law,” according to federal court documents. Morris is facing up to 20 years in prison for assaulting a federal officer, 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and a “mandatory minimum of 25 years, and a maximum of life,” for using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
