He was known as an enforcer during his time with the Rochester Amerks. Now, I-Team 10 has learned of a criminal indictment against Sean McMorrow, accusing him of trafficking drugs.
McMorrow was a popular player and active in the community during his four seasons with the Amerks but during that same time period, the FBI says he was bringing significant shipments of marijuana across the border from Canada.
Now there is a warrant for the arrest of Sean McMorrow.
This week, a federal grand jury handed up a two count indictment, accusing the former Amerk of peddling drugs he brought across the border.
McMorrow knew how to electrify the crowd. As an Amerk from 2002 to 2006, he never backed down from a fight. But I-Team 10 has obtained a federal indictment handed up this week in Rochester. It accuses the 28-year-old of conspiring with others to distribute marijuana.
Defense attorney Lawrence Kasperek said, “Our position is Sean is innocent of any charges regarding these circumstances. I don’t know what the nature of the government’s proof is yet. We just learned of the indictment ourselves.”
Federal authorities say he smuggled more than 100 kilograms or roughly 220 pounds of marijuana through customs from Canada.
“It was several trips across the border over that time period from 2003 to April 2005. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Harvey would not provide details of how the investigation came about or why the charges are being brought now, five years later. He did, however, say that it does not appear McMorrow was trafficking the drugs while travelling across the border with the Amerks. “I have no information that he, in any way, utilized his position as an Amerk to engage in this type of activity. As far as I know, it was separate.”
I-Team 10 contacted the Amerks this afternoon. The front office declined comment as McMorrow played here under different ownership.
But don’t expect McMorrow to appear in federal court right away. He’s currently playing hockey in Belfast, Northern Ireland and may have to be extradited in order to answer to the charges.
Harvey said, “We have to go through a process of trying to locate Mr. McMorrow specifically. Yea, there is an arrest warrant for him and we will pursue that with due speed.”
McMorrow was twice named amerce man of the year in 2003 and 2006, for his service to the community. On his bio page with the Belfast Fiants, he says “I take pride in being a good role model for the kids that come to see us play.”
Kasperek said, “He’s known for his commitment to young people. He’s been a, frankly, liaison for a number of hockey teams he’s belonged to and he’s always acted in the best interest of the children.”
These criminal charges seem to contradict his community good-guy image.
Harvey said, “Well, I don’t know what would be out of character for Mr. McMorrow, I just know what the allegations are in the indictment.”
Currently there is no scheduled court date for McMorrow to appear. His attorney did say they will be in communication with the U.S. Attorney’s office to try to arrange for his appearance.
If convicted, McMorrow could face up to 40 years in prison.
Click here to read the indictment.
Well all I can say and all I will say is that while this is of course no conviction of guilt, it will be interesting to see how the Giants go forward with it. I suspect they will have to take McMorrow out of the line-up for the time being until he decides what his next step is. It’s unfortunate on many levels this news, but even on the most basic level for Giants fans it’s a shame as McMorrow has been a fan favorite for the Giants this season with his many fights and entertaining style of play. McMorrow has also unofficially been the Giants community rep this season making numerous public appearances and has, in his short spell, gave a lot back and is in the process of arranging an inline skating school for young people and recently said he planned to stay on in Belfast this summer and run a Hockey school. All that though is the least of his worries now and while I don’t know him personally and I certainly cannot condone what he is alleged to have done, as a Giants fan, I can only wish him the best going forward.
