False Rape Accuser Caught with Shovel and Knife in Desert Passage Park

A man in Maricopa has been arrested for making multiple false rape allegations and for disturbing the peace while armed. Jeffrey Aaron Ellis, 42, was taken into custody at a local park on October 18, 2024, where he was found holding a shovel and possessing a knife.

Ellis had previously contacted the Maricopa Police Department on three occasions within a week, falsely reporting active assault incidents. The dates of these calls were October 9, October 11, and October 14, each requiring police to respond and investigate claims that were ultimately unfounded.

Officers were dispatched to a report of a man shouting in the Desert Cedars neighborhood. Upon arrival, they located Ellis displaying erratic behavior in a park near Betty Court. He was waving his arms and brandishing a shovel.

Confronted by the officers, Ellis made a startling claim about his mother being raped. His behavior escalated further when he instructed the police to “f*ck themselves” and adopted a physical stance as if ready to fight. Despite his aggressive demeanor, Ellis eventually complied with police orders and was arrested.

A subsequent search revealed a kitchen knife concealed in his pocket. Following the incident, he was booked into the Pinal County jail facing criminal nuisance charges. Ellis is expected to serve up to six months in jail.