Clear Lake man facing life in prison enters into plea agreement on reduced sexual abuse charges

CLEAR LAKE — A Clear Lake man facing a life prison term on sexual abuse charges has entered into a plea deal with prosecutors.

40-year-old Edric Morris was arrested on February 14th on one count of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of lascivious acts with a child. Authorities at the time said both charges were Class A felonies since both were second or subsequent violations. The charges stem from a complaint received in late January of this year involving a child under the age of 14.

Morris had previously been convicted for lascivious acts with a child in Cerro Gordo County in 2012.

Morris recently entered an Alford plea to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse and one count of lascivious acts with a child. With an Alford plea, a person does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction. All three charges are Class C felonies, punishable by up to ten years in prison on each charge.

Morris is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1st.