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Press Release

Clarksville Man Convicted Of Drug Trafficking & Firearms Crimes

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Tennessee
Defendant Committed Crimes While Out on Bond for Murder Charge

NASHVILLE – A federal jury in Nashville has convicted a Clarksville, Tennessee, man of drug trafficking and firearms offenses, announced United States Attorney Henry C. Leventis.   

Mark Ellis, 29, was convicted after a two-day trial of conspiracy to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute, more than 400 grams of fentanyl; being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Ellis and his wife, Yennifer Angeles, 23, were indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2022 after their arrests by Clarksville Police Department (CPD) officers in January 2022.   

"We will relentlessly pursue violent drug dealers like this one to hold them accountable for their crimes," said U.S. Attorney Leventis.  "I commend the trial team, the Clarksville Police Department and ATF for their work investigating and prosecuting this important case.  The citizens of Clarksville are safer because of their efforts."

According to evidence and testimony introduced at trial, CPD officers, using a confidential informant, made a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Ellis while seated in his car at a residence on Mark Spitz Drive in Clarksville.  During the transaction, Ellis’ wife exited the car, went into the house, and returned with a baggie of fentanyl which was sold to the informant.  A 9mm handgun was visible in the car during the transaction.  The resulting investigation and subsequent search of Ellis’ vehicle led to the recovery of a Ruger 9mm pistol and the seizure of almost a pound of fentanyl from the residence, where Ellis lived.  

During this investigation, and at the time of his arrest, Ellis was under electronic monitoring and out on bond from an unrelated murder charge in Montgomery County.

While in the Montgomery County Jail, Ellis called his wife and directed her to continue selling fentanyl.  That same day, Angeles was stopped by CPD officers in the same vehicle used to make the drug deal the previous day.  Further investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on South Lancaster Road in Clarksville, where more than 40 grams of fentanyl was recovered.   

“ATF and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly to disrupt the illegal possession of firearms, distribution of narcotics and other acts of violence within our community,” said Marcus Watson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Nashville Field Division.  “The outcome of this case is the result of extremely great work done by the individuals that took part in this investigation.”

"I would like to commend the detectives and agents with the Clarksville Police Department’s Special Operations Unit, agents with the ATF, and the federal prosecutors who spent countless hours on this investigation,” said Chief David Crockarell.  “Their relentless pursuit of justice culminated with the guilty verdict ensures the citizens of Clarksville are much safer today.”

Ellis faces a minimum of 15 years, and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on December 8, 2023.  Yennifer Angeles pleaded guilty in March 2023 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and faces up to 20 years in prison.  She will be sentenced on August 9, 2023. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Clarksville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire is prosecuting the case. 

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Contact

David Boling

Public Affairs Officer

615-736-5956

david.boling2@usdoj.gov

Updated May 4, 2023

Topics
Violent Crime
Drug Trafficking