A former Southeast Oklahoma sheriff's felony charges of embezzlement and bribery were dismissed Wednesday as part of a plea deal.

Former Pittsburg County Sheriff Chris Morris was charged with three felonies last May for allegedly abusing his office.

An independent prosecutor’s affidavit says Morris illegally sold his personal Polaris utility vehicle to the sheriff’s office for roughly 30 thousand dollars. He has also been accused of negotiating free repairs for the UTV in exchange for letting an auto shop upcharge repairs for two Pittsburg County vehicles.

The prosecutor dropped the felony charges in exchange for Morris pleading that there was enough evidence to convict him of a misdemeanor count of embezzlement, though he did not admit guilt.

Morris will receive a deferred sentence of two years in prison and about $1,000 in fines and fees. He also officially resigned from his office and will not serve a third term as sheriff after securing re-election last year.

In a resignation letter reported by the McAlester News-Capital, Morris wrote that he was honored to have served the locality and was “retiring” from his job as sheriff.

“The citizens of Pittsburg County have always supported me, and it is greatly appreciated,” Morris wrote in the letter. He will “pursue and focus on personal goals and business for a while” and “run for office again soon.”