Accused abuser may face more charges

COEUR d’ALENE — More charges could be pending against a 71-year-old retired aerospace worker from Post Falls who was charged Tuesday in Coeur d’Alene’s First District Court with child abuse.

Barry E. Morgan remains in the Kootenai County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Morgan, who is charged with one count of lewd conduct with children, told the court at his first appearance that he owns property in Post Falls and has no intention of fleeing.

Prosecutors asked Magistrate Judge Anna Eckhart to set bond at $150,000 because more charges may be filed against Morgan, and because of reports from relatives that the defendant owns a lot of firearms, and family members “have concerns.”

Eckhart set bond at $100,000, and denied Morgan a public defender, which are usually reserved for indigent clients.

Eckhart said Morgan can expect to have a preliminary hearing in First District Magistrate Court in 14 days. Preliminary hearings determine if enough evidence is available to move the case forward.

Morgan is accused of inappropriately touching children and having children, some as young as 5 years old, touch him in exchange for giving them candy.

Neighbors became suspicious of Morgan, after he took pictures of children in their bathing suits. Morgan is an amateur photographer and videographer, according to police. Police said Morgan confided to family members that he had fondled the children and allowed them to touch him.

Morgan was arrested Saturday as he was walking from his car to his church in Coeur d’Alene.