January 5, 2024 - Fresno Police Department officials report that on December 30, 2023, Northeast patrol officers responded to a report of a possible kidnapping of a 12-year old female. Officers discovered that the 12-year-old met 51-year-old James Ellis, from Oregon, on a social media app about a month ago.  During their online communication, Ellis told the victim he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her.  On December 30, 2023, Ellis picked the victim up from her home and took her to a parking lot where he sexually assaulted her.

A family member of the victim tracked her whereabouts through her cell phone and located the suspect’s vehicle in a parking lot. The vehicle was occupied by Ellis, and the victim. The family member demanded that Ellis release the victim. Instead, Ellis fled the scene in his truck, with the victim still inside. Ellis eventually dropped the victim off at a gas station when he realized the family member continued to follow him.  Northeast patrol officers located the vehicle and detained Suspect Ellis.

Ellis was arrested for numerous charges including kidnapping with the intent to commit a specified sexual offense, communicating with a minor with the intent to commit sex acts, and numerous charges related to the sexual assault of a child under 14.

Ellis has bailed out and is known to travel to California often for work. In the interest of public safety, the suspect’s mugshot is being released in accordance with PC 13665 (b)(1).

Please note: this is not a time to shame parents but a time to learn more about what is on your child’s devices and how to monitor their conversations.

Resources for assisting parents with devices, apps, and online safety: https://www.icactaskforce.org & https://www.missingkids.org/.../santa-brought-a-smartphone

Source & photo: Fresno Police Department