Former JCPS teacher facing 165-year sentence after being found guilty of child sex abuse

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A former Jefferson County Public Schools teacher accused of sexually abusing children was found guilty, and the jury recommended a 165-year prison sentence.

Christopher Morris was arrested in June 2022 and charged with 38 counts of child sex abuse including sexual abuse of a minor and sodomy, after police said he sexually abused two teens. At the time, Morris was employed with JCPS and was a coach for a traveling Amateur Athletic Union basketball team.

Police said the crimes happened between August 2012 and May 2022 with one victim who was under 16 years old and another victim under 18 years old.

In court Jan. 9, the jury found Morris guilty on all charges and recommended the maximum sentence on each charge. A formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 9.

"Protecting the most vulnerable in our community—especially our children—is one of our top priorities," Commonwealth's Attorney Gerina D. Whethers said in a news release Monday. "The jury found the defendant guilty of not one, but all 27 of the counts they were directed to hear, meaning the victims in this case now have long-awaited justice. This is one of the most egregious cases of abuse we’ve seen. This defendant was in a position of trust and authority in the community. Our children deserve to be able to live a life without fear, and should never have had to spend years waiting for a proper conclusion. We’re appreciative that the jury has given a sense of finality to this case."

This was Morris' second trial in this case. In August 2025, a judge declared a mistrial when a witness referred to a possible third victim despite the trial only focusing on two victims.

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