Pubdate: Thu, 21 Feb 2002
Source: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)
Copyright: 2002 The Augusta Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.augustachronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/31
Author: Greg Rickabaugh

FORMER DEPUTY'S BOND IS $25,000

Former Richmond County Deputy Joseph Ellick, indicted on conspiracy and 
drug trafficking charges, returned Wednesday to Augusta after a judge 
revoked his bond in Florida. Mr. Ellick, who is living in Fort Lauderdale, 
Fla., had made bond in the Southern District of Florida and had been free 
since Friday.

But federal prosecutors in Augusta persuaded U.S. District Chief Judge 
Dudley H. Bowen Jr. to revoke the bond, saying Mr. Ellick should have the 
same bond as narcotics Investigator Tyrone Williams, who is charged in the 
same federal indictment.

"Mr. Ellick is no less involved and no less charged with using his law 
enforcement authority to violate the Substance Abuse Act," Assistant U.S. 
Attorney John Garcia said during a hearing Wednesday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Leon Barfield set bond at $25,000 despite 
arguments by court-appointed defense attorney J. Larry Broyles that Mr. 
Ellick is accused of being only a "peripheral player" in the drug scheme, 
not a "major participant" like Investigator Williams.

"I fail to see why he should be equated with the same bond as the major 
participant," Mr. Broyles said.

But Judge Barfield said he was bound by the order of Judge Bowen.

Mr. Ellick was taken to the Bulloch County jail Wednesday afternoon, where 
he will remain until the new bond requirements are met.

Once released, he may return to Florida but with restrictions, Judge 
Barfield said. Mr. Ellick was ordered not to contact any witness unless his 
defense attorney is present, and not to possess a weapon, use any illegal 
substance or drink alcohol to excess. The former officer must report to a 
pretrial probation officer and report all contacts with police.

Outside court, Mr. Ellick's wife, Fran, proclaimed her husband's innocence, 
calling the allegations a "misunderstanding."

"I know my husband is innocent." she said. "If anyone knows him, they would 
know that he does not sell drugs or involve himself with drugs. ... When we 
get over this hump, everyone will know the truth."

Mr. Ellick has a child living in Augusta and three in Florida. He quit the 
sheriff's office last year and moved to Florida to care for his ailing mother.

He has been trying to get work as a law enforcement officer in Florida 
without success and has been working as a guidance counselor at ATI Career 
Training Center, his wife said.

According to a federal indictment, Mr. Ellick seized cocaine from an area 
dealer sometime between November 1999 and August 2000 and agreed not to 
inform his supervisors in exchange for "being broken off a piece." The 
indictment alleges he did not report the seizure to authorities.

Mr. Ellick will be arraigned in federal court March 1.

Investigator Williams is expected to be fired from the sheriff's office 
Friday, when the disciplinary review board meets and makes its 
recommendation to Sheriff Ronnie Strength. He has been suspended without 
pay since Jan. 2.
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