Prosecutors say Joey Ellis, 35, abused his position as a City of Houston park ranger, using his badge, uniform, and city vehicle to make people believe he had police authority when he did not. The indictment accuses him of detaining, threatening, robbing, and sexually assaulting men in Houston parks between December 2023 and June 2024.
Ellis now faces 12 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, along with charges of brandishing a firearm and witness tampering.
ABC13 first reported on Ellis' arrest in 2024 and spoke with one of the first victims to come forward, Joshua Beedee, who says the experience still affects him.
"He targeted people knowing that they wouldn't be able to stand up for themselves and wouldn't be able to speak out about it, and he made the wrong decision when he thought I would do the same."
Federal prosecutors now allege Ellis' crimes began at least six months before Beedee publicly shared his story. He said he encountered Ellis at Cullen Park on Saums Road in west Houston. Ellis pointed a gun at him, threatened him with arrest and towing his car, and forced him to strip, Beedee said.
"He had me turn around, show every part of my body. It was super violating."
Tuesday, Beedee said his encouraged to see more alleged victims coming forward.
"I'm happy that prosecutors are going to be able to seek justice for all those other victims," he said. "You never know how big that number is, but it was definitely scary for all of us."
Ellis first faced state charges but has been in federal custody since late 2024 following an FBI investigation.