Dec 18, 2019 3 min read

Washington County’s lawmakers have sent a letter to the United States Embassy in Thailand in support of the Hanover Township fire chief who has been detained there for nearly a month.

Michael Morra was arrested at the Bangkok Airport on Nov. 23 for alleged possession of contraband after airport security claimed to have found a single bullet in his checked luggage.

Morra was in Thailand on assignment for his employer, General Electric, and was working on the country’s electrical infrastructure.

State Rep. Joshua Kail, who represents Hanover Township as part of the 15th Legislative District, asked his colleagues to sign the letter in support of Morra. According to the Dec. 16 letter, Morra has a trial scheduled for February, and the earliest he could return home is Feb. 11.

The letter points to Morra’s more than 30 years of service to his local fire department as an example of his dedication to his community.

“Mr. Morra deserves the right to a fair and expeditious trial,” the letter reads. “We, the Washington County members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, encourage you to treat this case with care and request that it receive your full and fair consideration.”

In an emailed statement, Kail reiterated what he had written in the letter.

“We will continue to advocate for his quick and safe return,” Kail said.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help his family cover legal expenses and has raised more than $33,000.

In a phone interview, Dominic Morra, Michael Morra’s son, extended his family’s appreciation for the outpouring of support.

“We’ve even gotten donations from people we’ve never met or had no real ties to,” Dominic Morra said.

Dominic Morra responds to fire calls with his father, and serves as the Hanover Fire Department’s vice president. He said his father is “overall well” while waiting for his case to move forward.

“He’s abiding by their instructions, and being as law-abiding to the Thai officials as an American can be,” Dominic said.

On Monday, Dominic posted on the GoFundMe page, saying his father is “safe and as comfortable as possible.”

“We are working through the legal proceeding with our attorney, which is a time-consuming process. We have been in contact with local, state, and federal government officials who have given us their undivided support and attention on the subject,” he wrote.

Dominic said he would continue to provide updates on the GoFundMe page.

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler also penned a letter of support on Morra’s behalf to the embassy in Thailand.

“I have been working closely on Chief Michael Morra’s situation, and my office has been in regular contact with his immediate family. I expressed Chief Morra’s good character and his service to our community to the United States Embassy in Thailand and requested a fair and expeditious trial,” Reschenthaler said in an emailed statement. “In addition, I coordinated support from state lawmakers in Washington County so we can work together to bring Mr. Morra home to Southwestern Pennsylvania soon.”

Those interested in donating can do so by visiting gofundme.com/f/helping-chief-michael-while-detained-in-thailand.