Morristown Man Sentenced to 69 Years For Kidnapping, Other Charges
Published on April 14, 2023
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson announce the sentencing of Tyrone Ellison, 36, of Morristown, New Jersey.
On April 14, 2023, Honorable Judge Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C. sentenced Ellison as a persistent offender to 60 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) on the first-degree Kidnapping offense, subject to the No Early Release Act, with a consecutive sentence of 9 years New Jersey State Prison on the second-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS which merged with a 5 year prison sentence on the third-degree Possession of CDS offense. Ellison also received a 5 year prison sentence on the third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact conviction to run concurrent to the Kidnapping offense. Upon release Ellison is subject to Megan’s Law notification, and Parole Supervision for Life. Ellison’s first eligibility for release on the Kidnapping conviction is in approximately 51 years.
The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Justin R. Tellone and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Laura Magnone.
A jury had previously returned a guilty verdict for Ellison on November 14, 2022. The charges against Ellison were tried before a jury between November 3, 2022 and November 14, 2022, presided over by Judge Amirata. The defendant was found guilty of one count each of first-degree Kidnapping; second-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS; third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact; and third-degree Possession of a CDS. The jury found Ellison not guilty of third-degree Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, but guilty of Simple Assault, a disorderly persons offense.
On February 13, 2021, Ellison approached the victim in Newark and offered him a place to stay for the night, driving him back to Ellison’s Morristown residence. The victim fell asleep and awoke to Ellison contacting his intimate parts. Ellison displayed a handgun, would not allow the victim to access his cell phone, and confined the victim to the residence for most of the day. When the victim attempted to end another act of unwanted touching, Ellison struck the victim, causing injury. The victim was secretly able to send a message to his mother and was later able to run out of the residence to her waiting car. The incident was reported to law enforcement. During the investigation, several packages of Methamphetamine that were packaged for distribution, along with text conversations on Ellison’s phone relating to drug distribution, were found in Ellison’s residence.
Prosecutor Carroll would like to acknowledge the Morristown Police Department, specifically the efforts of Detective Scott Weaver, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office General Investigation Unit, supervised by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Scibetta, for their efforts in this investigation and prosecution.
Media inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at mknab@co.morris.nj.us or by phone at 973-829-8159.