Two men arrested on drug charges after a car stop in Atlantic City will remain in jail.
But attorneys for both men questioned the stop and the charges against their clients in separate detention hearings last week.
Thompson was stopped for minor driving infractions, including failure to signal and failure to stop, yet a K-9 dog was called immediately to the scene, Ellerbee's attorney, Stephen Funk, pointed out.
"They were following the car and they were waiting to stop it," he alleged. "They were waiting for a traffic violation to make the stop."
Thompson had 200 bags of heroin on him, according to the charges. Ellerbee was found with 50 bags of heroin, 9 grams of cocaine and more than $1,100 in cash.
Most of the drugs were found in a home in the 1300 block of Caspian Avenue, where 1,175 bags heroin were allegedly found.
Thompson's attorney, Robert Johnson, questioned that search while pointing out that his client had no connection to the residence.
The public safety assessments for each man recommended they be released with conditions.
But Chief Assistant Prosecutor Allison Eiselen argued that the men's criminal histories make them a danger to the community.
Thompson had pending drug charges at the time of his arrest.
Ellerbee was released from prison in October 2021, after serving time for six indictable charges and five violations of probation, according to what was presented in court.
He also has a "significant juvenile history," Eiselen said, including unlawful possession of a handgun.
Judge Donna Taylor agreed with the prosecutor and held both men despite the recommendations for release.
