April 19, 2004
Albany-- A longtime South Georgia District Attorney faces a federal judge in Albany. Alapaha Circuit D. A. Bob Ellis is released on fifty thousand dollars bond.
Ellis is accused of twice forcing a woman involved in one of his cases to have sex. Ellis' wife accompanied him to the Albany Federal Courthouse, where he was booked by Marshals. Federal sentencing guidelines announced in court say if convicted, Ellis could face almost 30 years in federal prison and a half million dollar fine.
Ellis is still serving as the Alapaha Circuit D. A., despite the federal indictment on three felonies and one misdemeanor.
Judge Richard Hodge ordered that Ellis not carry a gun while on bond, surrender his passport, and not to have any contact with the woman.
Ellis is also charged with witness tampering. The indictment says he told the woman March 11th not to talk to FBI agents investigating him.
Ellis released a statement to the media Friday saying that he is innocent of the charges, and would prove it in court.
But Monday afternoon Ellis and his lawyer fled out side doors of the courthouse to avoid reporters.
Ellis is expected to enter a plea in Macon's Federal Court at their next available open date.
U.S. Attorney's spokesperson's say the next open trial date in Albany is June 7th.
posted at 6:10 PM byjimw@walb.com
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