Carthage Man, 69, Charged With Felony Drug Trafficking

A Carthage man was arrested Friday in the Franklin County town after police said they found an array of drugs and $2,500 of what they suspect is drug money in his car. When state police stopped John Ellis Sr., 69, for speeding on Route 142 in Carthage, the trooper said he smelled marijuana in the car and searched the vehicle, according to Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety. The trooper found marijuana, cocaine, prescription pills, drug paraphernalia and the money in the car, McCausland said. He said a subsequent search of Ellis’ house uncovered more cocaine and prescription pills, plus another $3,900 cash that police believe is drug money. Ellis was charged with trafficking in scheduled drugs, a Class B felony, and is being held at the Franklin County Jail on bail of $50,000.