CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The same man who was charged with a 2018 murder and with a shooting at Waffle House was convicted Wednesday by a federal jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges, announced U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis.
Mark “Bubba Rachi” Ellis, 29, was convicted after a two-day trial of conspiracy to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute, more than 400 grams of fentanyl; being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
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Ellis and his wife, Yennifer Angeles, 23, were indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2022 after their arrests by Clarksville Police in January 2022.
He was arrested while out on bond in the 2018 slaying of Taren Lyles, who was found shot to death with her two children still restrained in the backseat. While out on bond on those murder charges, Ellis had an outstanding warrant in a shooting at a Waffle House, three people sustained gunshot wounds, and several others were injured by the broken glass. According to ADA John Stephens, while the warrant was pending, CPD officers conducted a drug sting that resulted in his arrest for a second time.
“We will relentlessly pursue violent drug dealers like this one to hold them accountable for their crimes,” said Leventis. “I commend the trial team, the Clarksville Police Department and ATF for their work investigating and prosecuting this important case. The citizens of Clarksville are safer because of their efforts.”
According to evidence and testimony introduced at trial, CPD officers, using a confidential informant, made a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Ellis while seated in his car at a residence on Mark Spitz Drive in Clarksville. During the transaction, Ellis’ wife exited the car, went into the house, and returned with a baggie of fentanyl, which was sold to the informant. A 9 mm handgun was visible in the car during the transaction. A search led to the recovery of a Ruger 9 mm pistol in his car and the seizure of almost a pound of fentanyl from the residence, where Ellis lived.
While in the Montgomery County Jail, Ellis called his wife and directed her to continue selling fentanyl. That same day, Angeles was stopped by CPD officers in the same vehicle used to make the drug deal the previous day. Further investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on South Lancaster Road, where more than 40 grams of fentanyl was recovered.
“ATF and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly to disrupt the illegal possession of firearms, distribution of narcotics and other acts of violence within our community,” said Marcus Watson, special agent in charge of the ATF Nashville Field Division. “The outcome of this case is the result of extremely great work done by the individuals that took part in this investigation.”
“I would like to commend the detectives and agents with the Clarksville Police Department’s Special Operations Unit, agents with the ATF, and the federal prosecutors who spent countless hours on this investigation,” said Chief David Crockarell. “Their relentless pursuit of justice culminated with the guilty verdict ensures the citizens of Clarksville are much safer today.”
Ellis faces a minimum of 15 years, and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on Dec. 8, 2023. Yennifer Angeles pleaded guilty in March 2023 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and faces up to 20 years in prison. She will be sentenced on August 9, 2023.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Clarksville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire is prosecuting the case.