Jason Ray Ellingson, 45, Minot, and Doddi Ruth Erickson, 31, Minot, were co-defendants in the case that sprang from undercover surveillance by the Ward County Drug Task Force in January of 2022. Task Force officers collaborated with North Dakota Probation and Parole officers for both Ellingson and Erickson, leading to a search of Ellingson’s residence that produced a variety of controlled substances and paraphernalia, including 21 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 3.61 grams of methamphetamine, 170 pills or 18 grams of pressed fentanyl pills, and 3.3 ounces of bagged marijuana.

Their deal with prosecutors resulted in the dismissal of charges for possession with intent to deliver marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, both Class C felonies. The deal required the pair plead guilty to possession with intent to deliver 10 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a schedule one hallucinogenic and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.

Ellingson was sentenced by District Judge Gary Lee to 10 years in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, to serve 359 days with credit for time already served. Ellingson was ordered to complete two years of supervised probation, along with a chemical dependency evaluation. A indigent recoupment fee of $575 was waived by the court, which assessed $1,025 in court fines and fees. The $2,253 seized at the time of arrest was forfeited to the drug task force.

Erickson was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections, to serve 67 days with credit for time already served. Lee ordered Erickson to complete two years of supervised probation and a chemical dependency valuation. Erickson was assessed $1,025 in court fines and fees, with indigent recoupment fees of $575 waived. The $515 seized at the time of her arrest was forfeited to the task force.

Ellingson also entered a guilty plea and was sentenced for a separate charge of escape, a Class C felony, which came after he left a Bismarck treatment facility where he tested positive for methamphetamine, fentanyl and opioids. Ellingson had been released for treatment after his bail conditions were amended while awaiting trial on the drug charges.

Lee sentenced Ellingson to 209 days in the Ward County Jail, with credit for 209 days already served, resulting in the felony charge being deemed a misdemeanor. Lee waived criminal administration and indigent recoupment fees totaling $975, leaving $125 in court fines and fees.