A former Platte County employee accused of making threats against his former co-workers has pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of harassment.
Judge Gary Witt on Tuesday sentenced Joshua T. Ellington, 26, of Shawnee Mission, Ks. to two years probation and 20 days in jail. Ellington was given credit for days already served behind bars since the time he was taken into custody on the charge earlier this month. He had been held on a cash-only bond of $20,000.
With the credit for time served, Ellington’s jail sentence has been completed, Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd explained on Wednesday morning.
The judge also ordered Ellington to undergo psychological screening and treatment, as well as drug and alcohol screening. Ellington also is forbidden from having contact with any of the Platte County employees involved in the case or their families. In addition, he is not to set foot on any county property, and must complete 20 hours of community service.
Ellington had been fired from the Platte County Collector’s office on Oct. 7. After being terminated, he went to the Platte County Annex at Platte Woods, where he had been assigned, and spoke with a former co-worker, Barbara Milton. At about 10:30 p.m. that evening, he spoke with Milton by phone. He told Milton he believed co-workers had conspired in a plot against him. Ellington made a reference to co-worker Becky Dye and made a threat to harm Dye’s grandchild. Court papers alleged Ellington stated harming the grandchild would “hurt her worse” and that he had previously hurt an infant for retaliation. According to authorities, Ellington also made a statement that he would push co-worker Carole Hensley down the stairs and cause injury to her.
Ellington worked for the county collector’s office for one year. He performed duties both at the collector’s office location in the county administration building in Platte City and at the Annex at Platte Woods.