spalding jury convicted man of trafficking carfentinal

​On May 25, 2022, a Spalding County jury convicted Quincey Rashard Ellis, a 44-year old male from Lithonia, for Possession of Carfentinal with the Intent to Distribute and Trafficking Carfentinal (synthetic heroin). Chief Assistant District Attorney, David Studdard, along with Assistant District Attorney, Holly McDonald, tried the case. The Honorable Scott L. Ballard sentenced the defendant to 30 years in prison Without the Possibility of Parole.
 
Ellis had been under investigation as part of a larger investigation into a metro area drug trafficking ring.  Ellis had been communicating with, and selling illegal narcotics to undercover state and federal agents for a period of 2 years prior to his arrest. On August 27, 2020, Ellis left his home in Lithonia and headed to Griffin with 80 grams of Carfentinal, which he believed he was selling to another drug dealer.  The deal had been arranged by Ellis and undercover officers.  Ellis’ vehicle was stopped on Highway 19/41 in Spalding County by the State Patrol working in concert with the undercover operation. Ellis had 80 grams of Carfentinal on his person and various other illegal substances in his vehicle.
 
Ellis has a Lengthy Criminal History including three prior convictions for Trafficking Cocaine, Heroin and Fentanyl. After the trial, Chief ADA Studdard said of the Jury’s verdict “this verdict and subsequent sentence illustrates the tireless work our Law enforcement