Federal Gun, Drug Conviction For Ellis Man

An Ellis County man was sentenced Thursday to federal prison on drug and gun charges.

According to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom’s Office, 30-year-old Joseph Anthony Ransom, of Ellis was convicted in July of one count of growing marijuana plants, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction.

During trial, the prosecution presented evidence that on Sept. 25, 2014, officers with the Ellis Police Department executed a search warrant at Ransom’s residence in Ellis. They found that Ransom was growing 181 marijuana plants inside his home and that he possessed a Zastava PAP M92 PV AK47 pistol and a .223 caliber rifle. Because of prior felony convictions, Ransom was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Ransom was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.