Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal jury Thursday found an Ellis County man guilty on drug and gun charges, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

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.

Sentencing is set for Oct. 8. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on each of the marijuana charges; a penalty of not less than five years for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and a maximum penalty of 10 years for possessing a firearm following a felony conviction. 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.

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