Mysterious Houston Park Ranger Raises Alarms
The FBI’s Houston Division is on high alert as reports suggest that Joey Lamar Ellis, a former City of Houston park ranger, may have used deceptive tactics to target victims at popular Houston parks like Cullen and Memorial park.
The FBI is urging potential victims to come forward and share their experiences with Ellis, who allegedly singled out members of the LGBTQIA+ community and others while posing as a law enforcement officer.
Federal agents reveal that Ellis manipulated victims by coercing them to pay money or subjecting them to sexual assault under false pretenses. Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz expressed concern over the breach of public trust in this alarming case.
“It’s an alarming case, like I said earlier, because it breaks the public trust,” Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said.
The FBI suspects that Ellis may have engaged in such criminal activities for years before being apprehended. Victims are encouraged to report any relevant information anonymously through a designated form for possible access to support services and legal rights.
Previous Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Ellis, who is no longer employed by the City of Houston, faces felony charges of official oppression and enhanced sexual assault by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. His troubles began when he was arrested in June for alleged misconduct at Cullen Park, where he demanded money from victims under false pretexts.
One of the victims recounted his harrowing experience with Ellis, who coerced him to strip naked and pay him money under threats of legal consequences. Despite facing multiple accusations, Ellis’s defense attorney maintains his client’s innocence.
Subsequent investigations revealed additional victims coming forward with similar accounts of extortion and sexual coercion by Ellis, leading to his re-arrest in August for violating bond conditions.
As this case unfolds, the FBI and local authorities are urging anyone impacted by Ellis’s actions to step forward and help in the ongoing investigation.