Ellis County Man Sentenced On Federal Drug, Gun Charges

WICHITA, KAN. – An Ellis County man was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in federal prison on drug and gun charges, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

In July, Joseph Anthony Ransom, 30, Ellis, Kan., was convicted on 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.

Grissom commended the Ellis Police Department, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind for their work on the case.