A former Houston park ranger has been indicted on charges of sexual assault and extortion involving multiple victims, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Joey Lamar Ellis, a 34-year-old resident of Houston, faces 20 counts related to civil rights violations against eight individuals.

The federal grand jury indictment was returned on December 3. Ellis is scheduled for his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Edison at 2 p.m.

According to the indictment, Ellis allegedly abused his position by stopping and detaining park visitors during late-night hours. He reportedly used his city-issued vehicle to block the victims' vehicles, confiscated their driver's licenses or cell phones, and falsely accused them of crimes with threats of towing or arrest.

Ellis is accused of offering victims an escape from these consequences by demanding money or committing assaults. Allegations include groping a victim, forcing another to strip naked, and sexually assaulting another individual. It is further alleged that he used his firearm to intimidate victims and instructed at least one person not to report the incidents.

The FBI conducted the investigation with support from the Houston Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sharad Khandelwal and Rebekah Saunders.

Authorities urge anyone who believes they may have been a victim or knows someone affected to contact the FBI's Houston Field Office at 713-693-5000 or complete an online form seeking information about potential victims.

It is important to note that an indictment is a formal charge but does not constitute evidence of guilt. A defendant remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.