A high-ranking executive and former educator in a Texas school district has been found guilty by a federal jury on kidnapping and sex charges, the U.S. Department of Justice reports.

Jeffrey Steven Clay, 51, of Anthony, N.M., was convicted May 8 on one count each of kidnapping and transportation for illegal sexual activity, according to a DOJ news release. At the time of the incident, Clay was employed with the El Paso (Texas) Independent School District (EPISD), the news release states. 

Clay was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 9, 2022, according to the release. At the time, he was the executive director of Analytics, Strategy, and Assessment and Public Education Information Management Systems for EPISD. Prior to the director role, Clay had held several other positions in the school district, including teacher and principal.

Evidence presented at trial and other publicly accessible court documents show that on Aug. 4, 2021, Clay offered Jane Doe a ride near Copia Street in El Paso, Texas, presumably to drive her to a friend's house, the release reports. 

Instead, Clay took Jane Doe to his home in Anthony, where he made an attempt to kiss Jane Doe. When Jane Doe resisted him, Clay punched her in the face and handcuffed her, the release reports. Clay sexually assaulted Jane Doe "while she was handcuffed, crying, and pleading with Clay to stop," the release states. After the assault, Clay took Jane Doe back to El Paso; where she escaped to a convenience store while Clay's car was stopped at a traffic light.

"At trial, another woman testified that Clay repeatedly sexually abused her as well," the release states, "both when she was a minor and when she was an adult, including while she was seven months pregnant."

Raul Bujanda, FBI Special Agent in Charge, called the crimes "disturbing and relentless." 

“The conviction of Jeffrey Steven Clay is a great achievement in keeping our communities safer from those who target and prey on innocent people," Bujanda said in the release. "The FBI will always work together with our partners and hold these criminals accountable and prevent such violence from happening in our communities.”

Clay faces up to life in prison. Upon his release from prison, Clay would be subject to registration as a sex offender. The FBI is seeking other potential victims of Clay. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or report online to tips.fbi.gov.

Alexander Uballez, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, said in the release that he stood "in awe of these two brave women who shared their stories so that others would be safe.”

“Even in darkness, there is light," Uballez said in the release. "For those of us who serve in law enforcement, the light is working with these heroic victims and witnesses whose courageous testimony ensures that sexual predators will never ruin another life."