HOUSTON — A former Houston urban park ranger is back in jail after violating the terms of his bond, prosecutors said.
Joey Lamar Ellis, 33, was charged with official oppression in June after he was accused of threatening to arrest people if they didn't take off their clothes and give him money.
Prosecutors said in a June court appearance that Ellis approached two men inside a car at Cullen Park and told them he knew what they were there for. He wasn't on duty that night but they said Ellis was wearing his ranger uniform and driving a city vehicle.
One of the men told police that Ellis threatened to take him him to jail unless he stripped naked, confessed to a crime he didn't commit and paid him $300. The man said he didn't have that much money but gave Ellis $20 in cash and another $200 through CashApp. Prosecutors said Ellis also told the victim he needed to help lure other men to the park through gay dating apps so he could do the same thing to them. The man escaped and called police.
"I anticipate that there will be a lot of evidence in this case, given the fact that this defendant was receiving cash payments from all these individuals in exchange for essentially threatening to send them to jail for crimes that don't even exist," Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Smith told us.
Ellis’s defense attorney said in June and maintains that the allegations against Ellis aren't true.
"Mr. Ellis is an upstanding citizen, never been in trouble in his life and he strongly contests these charges," Wes Rucker said in June. "And we think as the evidence unfolds, it'll be seen that this was a mistake to bring these cases.”
Ellis was released after posting a $30,000 bond. He was ordered to stay away from all city parks and to have no contact with his accusers.
Ellis was arrested again and in court Monday after being accused of violating his initial bond conditions, which prevented him from leaving the area. Several people reported he was living in his native Louisiana.
"We’re just so grateful for their bravery and their courage to come forward because I can’t imagine, I know it can’t be easy, but because of them he is back behind bars where he belongs,” Smith said.
The defense said he returned to Louisiana because he lost his job as a park ranger.
Since his current arrest, the state said more victims came forward, including one accusing Ellis of telling him to pay him or perform oral sex on him or he would have his car towed. Prosecutors said the victim performed oral sex on Ellis.
Ellis is facing an enhanced sexual assault charge resulting in a hate crime because persecutors believe he targeted men because of their sexual preferences.
Ellis denies the allegations.
"I personally believe that everyone is proven innocent unless they are proven guilty and that everyone is entitled to a strong and zealous advocating defense,” Defense Attorney Ryan Fremuth said.
The judge set Ellis' bond at $75,000 on the enhanced sexual assault charge and $60,000 each on the two official oppression charges.