A Trussville man has been sentenced to four years in prison for drug trafficking, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.
U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor sentenced Antonio Sedell Ellis, 50, to 48 months in prison following his guilty plea in October 2024 to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
The plea agreement details that on May 9, 2023, a Trussville police officer observed a black Ford F-450 crossing the outside fog line multiple times on Interstate 59. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Ellis. During the stop, the officer detected an odor of alcohol from inside the vehicle and requested Ellis exit the vehicle. Initially compliant, Ellis then attempted to leave the scene and did not follow further orders from the officer. Additional officers arrived and apprehended Ellis successfully. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a package containing one kilogram of cocaine, several bags of cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.
The FBI conducted the investigation alongside the Trussville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany T. Byrd prosecuted the case.