Macon County Trustee, Donnie Morgan, is scheduled to be arraigned in Federal Court Monday, May 17, to answer to the charge of assault on a federal witness and to the charge of making false statements on his USDA issued tobacco card.

The charge of assault on a federal witness refers to an alleged altercation between Garth Middaug on October 3, at the Lafayette Post Office.

The alleged victim is reported to be a federal witness who is cooperating with an FBI investigation into tobacco fraud in Macon County. Middaugh alleged that Morgan repeatedly punched and threatened him.

Middaugh is said to have given information previously to law enforcement agents relating to the commission of a Federal Offense.

Reportedly, Morgan had agreed to plead guilty to making a materially false statement with his USDA tobacco card. This agreement, made with the United States District Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, stated that if Morgan would plead guilty to the false statement the charge of assault would be dropped.

An Order of Dismissal was filed in the clerk's office April 30, stating that due to the defendants decision to not plead guilty the settlement case has been dismissed.

The document was entered on the docket in compliance with Rule 55, FRCrimP, on May 6, 2004.

Morgan was asked to make a statement on the latest development but stated he did not know he was to appear in court on Monday.

Morgan's attorney, Peter Strianse, with Tune, Entrkin, and White, was unavailable for comment.