The Federal Bureau of Investigation, in collaboration with the Houston Police Department, is actively seeking additional individuals who may have fallen prey to ex-Houston Park Ranger Joey Lamar Ellis. Ellis, 33, faces charges of official oppression, and there is concern he may have specifically targeted the LGBTQIA+ community. As reported by FOX 26 Houston, Ellis allegedly exploited his role as a park ranger to extort money from park-goers and has been accused of engaging in sexual assault.
Since his arrest in June and subsequent release on a $30,000 bond, at least five individuals have courageously stepped forward to recount their encounters. These revelations have led authorities to suspect that Ellis, who started to work as a park ranger in 2019, could possibly have a larger number of victims yet to come forward. In an effort to fully understand the extent of Ellis' alleged crimes, officials are urging others to report their experiences via a dedicated FBI portal.
The investigation, now launching into civil rights violations terrain, is scrutinizing Ellis' tenure at multiple Houston parks, including Cullen, Memorial, and Cleveland parks, with the pursuit of holding him accountable. The KHOU 11 report details that victims were allegedly led by Ellis to believe he was acting under official capacity when he coerced them into paying money, and in some cases, sexually assaulted them as a twisted form of compromise for their release.
Now out of the employ of the city of Houston and free on bond for the charges pending against him, Ellis remains a subject of the FBI's vigorous investigation. “Ellis began working as a park ranger in 2019, and could have potentially have victims spanning from 2019 to present,” Doug Williams of the FBI Houston Field Office explained, as mentioned by KHOU 11. The FBI, with its mandate to identify victims of federal crimes under investigation, is offering an opportunity for victims to confidentially submit information related to the case. An online form has been provided for this purpose and is specifically welcoming submissions from victims aged 18 and over.
As per the FBI's protocol, the identification of victims is not solely for investigative purposes but also to ensure that they can be informed of their rights and available services as mandated by federal and/or state law.
