By Erin Smith
A Clarkton man who was arrested last week in connection with a joint investigation by the Bladen County Sheriff”s Office and Columbus County Sheriff’s Office of a marijuana growing operation was found dead in his cell on Thursday.
A press release from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office on Monday stated Andrew James Ellis, 37, of Mercer Mill Road, Clarkton, was found unresponsive at the Columbus County Detention Center in Whiteville at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 19. According to officials, jail staff attempted CPR until Whiteville Rescue arrived and Ellis was transported to Columbus Regional Healthcare System in Whiteville were he was pronounced dead.
Ellis was facing charges of:
*Possession with the Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substance
*Possession with the Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substance
*Manufacturing Marijuana
*Possession with the Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Marijuana
*Felony Possession of Marijuana
*Maintaining A Place for Controlled Substance.
Ellis’ cause of death is pending an autopsy.
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