Evergreen Reporter

A former New Orleans Police Department sergeant has been sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to six counts of wire fraud. Todd F. Morrell, 57, was sentenced by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey and will also serve eight months of home confinement, perform 150 hours of community service, pay a $5,000 fine, and a mandatory $600 special assessment fee. A restitution hearing is scheduled for April 29, 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson stated that Morrell's sentencing acknowledges the betrayal and breach of public trust resulting from his fraudulent actions against the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the citizens of New Orleans.

Morrell worked as a sergeant in NOPD’s Special Operations Division and supplemented his income with off-duty security work at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Neighborhood Patrol. Despite signing annual certifications to monitor his hours and not neglect duty, he submitted false timecards between early 2017 and November 30, 2021. Morrell claimed to be on duty while engaging in personal activities like race car driving in Avondale, Louisiana, and Austin, Texas.

The six counts Morrell pleaded guilty to involved submitting false time sheets for both NOPD duties and secondary employment shifts with the Fair Grounds Patrol on specific dates: July 1, 2019; December 21, 2020; January 23, March 13-14; April 25-30; October 23 in 2021.

Simpson emphasized the strong partnership between federal agencies in investigating this case: "This successful investigation and prosecution exemplify the strong partnership between our office, the FBI, the New Orleans Office of Inspector General and the New Orleans Public Integrity Bureau."

FBI New Orleans Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus reiterated their commitment to investigating fraud: "The FBI will continue to investigate fraud and corruption at all levels of government."

Assistant United States Attorneys Jordan Ginsberg and Brittany L. Reed are leading the prosecution.