New drug, weapons charges for troubled Jacksonville businessman

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A troubled Jacksonville business owner bonded out of jail Tuesday after raids at his businesses and home resulted in several charges against him.

William "Shep" Ellison, 69, is charged with trafficking in hydrocodone while armed with a firearm and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

He was arrested Jan. 5 after agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement found two guns at his home.

Agents questioned Ellison about keys on his keyring, which he admitted belong to a safe at his business office.

Reports reveal the agents found four more guns and drugs in the safe at his office.

More than 28 grams of hydrocodone in the form of 154 pills were found inside three bags in the safe.

Latest News Headlines from Action News

The guns included a 12-gauge shot gun, 40 caliber, 9mm, 22 caliber and semi-automatic handgun.

Approximately 40 rounds of ammunition were found in the drawer of his desk, according to the report.

Ellison, as a convicted felon, cannot legally possess a firearm.

Records show he was booked into the Duval County Jail on Jan. 8.

Action News Jax cameras were there last week as dozens of state agents raided Ellison’s home and his businesses, Shep's Warehouse Auction and Shep's Discount and Salvage.

In 1990, Ellison faced charges that included one count of solicitation to commit first degree murder, arson and two counts of dealing in stolen property. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

WJAX