Pottstown man sent to jail for burglary, stalking

NORRISTOWN >> A Pottstown man was sent to jail after he admitted to stalking and burglary-related charges in connection with domestic incidents during which he targeted his ex-girlfriend.

Shaheed Ellington, 38, of the 400 block of Walnut Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 11½ to 23 months in the county jail after he pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, stalking and criminal trespass in connection with two incidents that occurred between November and December 2020.

Judge Thomas P. Rogers, who accepted a plea agreement in the case, also ordered Ellington to complete three years’ probation following parole, meaning Ellington will be under court supervision for about five years.

“By pleading guilty, Mr. Ellington admitted that on two different dates, in close proximity to each other, he broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend,” said county Assistant District Attorney Robert Waeltz Jr., who sought the jail term against

Ellington. “Within five days the woman had her house broken into twice by the same individual. He violated her security. He violated the sanctity of her home. He violated her emotional security by repeatedly placing her in fear of bodily injury or emotional distress.”

Ellington, who was represented by defense lawyer Carol Sweeney, is prohibited from having contact with the woman.

During the first incident, Pottstown police responded to the victim’s South Street home at about 8:20 p.m. on Nov. 25, 2020, after she reported her ex-boyfriend had broken into the house through a window.

“The defendant turned and pushed the victim down to the ground and placed his hands around the victim’s neck and stated he was going to kill her,” Pottstown Police Officer Adam Seanor wrote in the arrest affidavit, adding the victim eventually managed to chase Ellington from the residence and Ellington fled the area in a white SUV.

Police, who observed a broken window through which Ellington entered the residence, said the victim “was clearly distraught” as a result of the incident.

“The victim advised me the defendant does not reside at the residence and was not invited over to the residence on this night,” Seanor alleged.

Despite an order from police not to return to the residence, Ellington returned to the South Street residence on Dec. 1, according to court papers. At that time, the victim reported Ellington entered through a window and when the victim threatened to call police he fled, police alleged.

During the investigation of the second incident, police recovered video footage from several home surveillance cameras in the neighborhood that depicted Ellington walking up to the victim’s home about 6:50 p.m. and a short time later running away from the home and getting into his vehicle, according to the arrest affidavit.

Other charges of simple assault, harassment and terroristic threats were dismissed against Ellington as part of the plea agreement.