A Lake Charles man arrested in January for a multi-parish crime spree is now facing new charges, including rape and kidnapping, according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Shannon E. Morris, 26, was arrested in Duson after being accused of multiple crimes in Iowa, Crowley, Rayne, Acadia, and Lafayette.
According to Calcasieu deputies, Morris’ alleged crime spree began around 3 a.m. on Jan. 31, when he forced his way inside a woman’s home and locked the door behind him. Morris allegedly demanded money from the victim, raped her, and threatened her life.
Morris then stole the victim’s gun and forced her to drive him to Iowa, according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Around 8 a.m., Morris allegedly approached a woman in the parking lot of a store on Miller Avenue with a gun and demanded a ride to Jennings. Deputies said the victim tried to let Morris take the vehicle, but he forced her into the passenger seat and drove east on I-10, leaving the business.
The incident spread to Acadia Parish, where further investigations with other law enforcement agencies are underway.
Calcasieu detectives later discovered that Morris sexually assaulted another victim at her Lake Charles home in the early morning the day before.
Morris again locked the victim in a room and refused to let her leave, claiming he had a gun, according to deputies. The victim was eventually able to convince Morris to leave the house.
This prompted Calcasieu detectives to issue three warrants for Morris’ arrest between February 1 and 4.
Morris, who is currently incarcerated in the Lafayette Parish Jail, faces the following charges in Calcasieu Parish:
- Second-degree rape
- Theft of a firearm
- Unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling
- 2nd-degree kidnapping
- Aggravated assault with a firearm
- Possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of felonies
- Attempted second-degree rape
- Sexual battery
- False imprisonment
His total bond has now been set at $3.23 million.
Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Crowley Police Department, and Duson Police Department are also assisting CPSO in the investigations, and Morris is facing the following charges from those agencies:
- Armed robbery (2 counts)
- Carjacking
- Aggravated battery
- First-degree rape
- False imprisonment
- Aggravated burglary
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling
- Illegal possession of stolen things.
