Man Charged With Violent Crime Spree in Santa Monica Gets Maximum Sentence

By Lookout Staff

July 9, 2018 -- A 24-year-old homeless man responsible for a series of violent attacks in Santa Monica last year was sentenced Friday to 32 years in prison.

The maximum sentence came after Brian Noah Morgan, 24, pleaded no contest June 20 to charges stemming from three attacks in Santa Monica ("Homeless Man Faces 32 Years in Prison for Santa Monica Violent Crime Spree," June 22, 2018).

The incidents included two violent home invasions that alarmed residents of the upscale North of Montana neighborhood, leading to heightened calls for more policing.

Morgan pleaded no contest to two counts each of attempted murder and second-degree robbery.

He also admitted a special allegation of using a knife, which is a deadly and dangerous weapon.

The violent spree began on the afternoon of May 15 when Morgan and a male juvenile suspect severely assaulted a man inside a home on the 500 block of 17th Street ("Santa Monica Resident Severely Assaulted in North of Montana Home," May 17, 2017).

Eleven days later, the suspects attacked a father and his 19-year-old son in a home on the 200 block of 19th Street ("Two Hospitalized After Second Home Invasion Robbery in Santa Monica's North of Montana Neighborhood," May 27, 2017).

The victims in the two attacks were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Morgan was arrested on May 26 after stealing money and a wedding ring from a woman who was unloading gifts with her husband outside their home.

Morgan, who was on parole, was taken into custody by El Monte police after a vehicle stop in the inland city east of Los Angeles.

Like other suspects recently charged in Santa Monica's most violent crimes, Morgan was a repeat offender ("Suspects in Santa Monica's Most Violent Crimes Were Repeat Offenders," March 13, 2018).