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TRENTON
– Attorney General Anne Milgram and
Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw
announced that a Burlington County man was
indicted today on charges including first-degree
possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
According
to Director Paw, James Ellis, 47, of Mt.
Holly, was charged in a state grand jury
indictment with first-degree possession
of cocaine with intent to distribute, two
counts of second-degree cocaine distribution,
and one count each of second-degree possession
of a weapon during commission of certain
crimes and second-degree possession of a
weapon by a convicted felon.
The
charges stem from an investigation by the
New Jersey State Police Organized Crime
Control Bureau, Street Gang - Central, the
U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives, and the Division of Criminal
Justice. Deputy Attorney General Andrew
M. Butchko presented the case to the state
grand jury for the Division of Criminal
Justice.
The
indictment alleges that on two separate
occasions – Oct. 5 and Oct. 12, 2006
– Ellis distributed at least one-half
ounce of cocaine in Bordentown.
As
a result of the investigation, members of
the State Police and the ATF Violent Gang
Task Force arrested Ellis at his Mill Street
home in Mount Holly on Oct. 15, 2007. Detectives
searched Ellis and his residence and recovered
more than 5 ounces of cocaine, a semi-automatic
handgun and more than $10,000 in cash. It
was illegal for Ellis to possess a handgun
because he had prior felony convictions
for burglary in 1981, robbery in 1984, and
distribution of a controlled dangerous substance
in 1997.
The
indictment is merely an accusation and the
defendant is presumed innocent until proven
guilty. First-degree crimes carry a maximum
sentence of 20 years in state prison and
a fine of $200,000, while second-degree
crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years
in prison and a fine of $150,000.
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