Man Sentenced For Kidnapping, Assault In Morris County

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A Morristown man was sentenced to 69 years in state prison on Friday for kidnapping and sexually and physically abusing a Newark resident, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said.

Tyrone Ellison, 35, will not be eligible for parole for at least 51 years, according to Honorable Judge Ralph E. Amirata.

At a two-day trial last November, Ellison was convicted of first-degree kidnapping; second-degree possession with intent to distribute CDS; third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact; and third-degree possession of a CDS.

The jury found Ellison not guilty of third-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, but guilty of simple assault, a disorderly persons offense.

According to police, on Feb. 13, 2021, Ellison approached the victim in Newark and offered him a place to stay for the night, driving him back to his Morristown home.

The victim fell asleep and awoke to find Ellison touching his intimate parts, according to police. Ellison then took out a handgun, refused the victim access to his cell phone, and confined the victim to the house for the majority of the day.

According to police, Ellison struck the victim after he attempted to stop another instance of inappropriate touching. After secretly communicating with his mother, the victim was able to leave the house and reach a waiting car.

The incident was later reported to law enforcement.

During the investigation, several packages of Methamphetamine packaged for distribution, as well as text conversations about drug distribution on Ellison's phone, were found by police in Ellison's home.

Ellison was also sentenced to a five-year concurrent term for aggravated criminal sexual contact. Under Meghan's Law, he will be required to register as a sex offender and will be under parole supervision for the rest of his life.