Tom Ellison

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Name:
Ellison, Tom Willie

Date of Booking:
04/27/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
POSS MARIJUANA WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE – M

MARIJUANA-POSSESS LESS THAN 1 OZ. – M

PURCHASE, POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION, OR SALE OF MARIJUANA – M

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On 04/27/26 at approximately 0944 hours I was dispatched to [200 BLOCK] W Park Ave regarding a trespassing person. I was in full uniform and in a marked patrol car. I was working as 24C1.

Investigation
When I arrived at the location Officer Carpita and I spoke to the reporting party [WITNESS #1]. Mr. [WITNESS #1] advised his father was parked out front of the residence. Mr. [WITNESS #1] stated officers told his father, later identified as Tom Ellison, that he was not allowed at the residence due to a past incident that occurred at the residence two days prior. I advised Mr. [WITNESS #1] that I would make contact with his father parked out front of the residence at [200 BLOCK] W Park Ave.

Upon approaching the vehicle, Mr. Ellison noticed Officer Carpita and myself approaching the vehicle and quickly hopped out of the vehicle. Mr. Ellison appeared shaken up, and confused. Mr. Ellison also had his pants belt loosened and his pants zipped down. Officer Carpita told Mr. Ellison that when he stepped out of the vehicle, he could smell marijuana emitting from the vehicle.

Vehicle Search
Officer Carpita asked Mr. Ellison if he has been smoking and when was the last time. Mr. Ellison stated he smoked “about two hours ago” and that he rolled a joint. Due to the smell of marijuana emitting from the vehicle, I conducted a warrantless search under the automobile exception. The vehicle was a white 2010 Lexus RX. Upon searching the vehicle, I found a green leafy substance in a clear small baggie in a small cup holder next to the center console. The green leafy substance was field tested at property room and tested positive for marijuana. The green leafy substance weighted approximately 2.66 grams.

Mr. Ellison was charged with 16-13-30(J) for having marijuana in his possession which was found inside of his vehicle prior to him stepping out. Mr. Ellison also stated that he smoked about to hours ago and rolled a joint.

Mr. Ellison was also banned from the location, please view officer supplemental under the same CRN.

Mr. Ellison was transported to Chatham County Detention Center and booked without incident.

[End of Narrative]

All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.

Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case History:

4/28/26

FIRST APPEARANCE AND BOND HEARING HELD BEFORE JUDGE HUFFMAN

What this means: Tom Willie Ellison appeared before Judge Huffman at his first appearance hearing, where he was formally advised of his rights — including his right to remain silent and his right to an attorney. At this hearing, Ellison entered a not guilty plea and requested a Recorder’s Court hearing rather than a State Court trial. He also requested a public defender or appointed counsel. The court noted conditions related to obtaining a drug evaluation. Bond was set, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for June 2, 2026 at 8:45 AM in Courtroom 1D at the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County, 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah. Bond conditions included no new arrests, a drug and alcohol assessment and counseling as recommended, and other standard conditions.

6/2/26

PRELIMINARY HEARING HELD — PROBABLE CAUSE ESTABLISHED

What this means: Tom Willie Ellison appeared for his scheduled preliminary hearing at the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County. The court record reflects that probable cause was established for the arrest and detention of Ellison on the charge of possession of marijuana less than one ounce. The case was ordered to continue in Recorder’s Court. This hearing confirmed that there was enough evidence for the case to move forward.

6/2/26

COUNSEL APPOINTED TO REPRESENT TOM WILLIE ELLISON

What this means: On June 2, 2026, the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County formally appointed an attorney to represent Tom Willie Ellison because he could not afford to hire one on his own. Attorney Barbara Foster of the Misdemeanor Defense Office was assigned to his case. The appointment was made by Judge Williams and entered into the record for case number RCCR26-09626, with the charge listed as marijuana possession less than one ounce.

6/3/26

DEFENSE ATTORNEY BARBARA FOSTER FILES NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

What this means: On June 3, 2026, attorney Barbara Foster of the Chatham County Misdemeanor Defense Office formally entered her appearance as appointed counsel for Tom Willie Ellison in case number RCCR26-09626. This filing put the court and all parties on notice that Foster would be representing Ellison going forward. All future court documents and communications in this case are to be directed to her office at 222 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Suite 437, Savannah.

7/9/26

MISDEMEANOR DOCKET HEARING HELD — OFFICER REQUIRED

What this means: On July 9, 2026 at 8:45 AM, Tom Willie Ellison’s case appeared on the misdemeanor docket at the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County. This type of hearing is a scheduled court date where the arresting or citing officer is required to be present. The docket card reflects the case was before the court on this date as part of the ongoing proceedings in case number RCCR26-09626.

7/9/26

CHARGE REDUCED AND DISPOSED — TIME SERVED

What this means: Also on July 9, 2026, the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County resolved Tom Willie Ellison’s case. The original charge of possession of marijuana less than one ounce was reduced — noted on the disposition record as “reduced” — and the case was disposed with a sentence of time served. This means Ellison was not ordered to serve any additional jail time beyond what he had already spent in custody. Judge C.C. Williams signed the disposition order. The case in Recorder’s Court is now closed.