A former Jefferson couple face several charges for drugs and assault.

According to court documents, the Jefferson Police Department began an investigation on June 2nd when officers were notified about several audio recordings where 37-year-old Benjamin Ellingson was threatening to abuse and kill his wife. The recording also indicated that physical abuse was taking place, and that this had been going on for at least six months.

Officers executed a search warrant on June 3rd at the residence to recover the audio recorder and USB drives. While officers searched the residence, there were several mason jars full of marijuana, along with scales and THC containers in plain sight. Another search warrant was then executed to retrieve the drug-related items.

A third search warrant was executed to access the USB drives. On those drives was video footage of 39-year-old Shanda Ellingson physically abusing Benjamin. An interview was conducted on June 21st with witnesses that claimed Benjamin and Shanda physically abused each other. The witnesses also said that Shanda knew about the marijuana and had been buying and using the drug.

Benjamin and Shanda were arrested and Benjamin was charged with a Class D Felony for failure to affix drug tax stamp and intent to distribute marijuana, an aggravated misdemeanor for first degree harassment, three serious misdemeanors for first offense for possession of marijuana, first offense domestic abuse assault, and domestic abuse assault-causing bodily injury, and a simple misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia. Shanda was charged with a Class C Felony for willful injury-intent to cause injury, a Class D Felony for intent to distribute marijuana, an aggravated misdemeanor for her first offense for domestic abuse assault-display or use of a weapon and a serious misdemeanor for first offense for possession of marijuana.

They were booked into the Greene County Jail. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.