Former law enforcement officer guilty of sexual assault | USAO-SDTX

HOUSTON – A federal jury in Houston has convicted a 33-year-old former state trooper of assaulting two women while on duty, US Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced.

The jury deliberated for three hours before returning a guilty verdict against Lee Ray Boykin Jr. after a four-day trial.

“My office is firmly committed to guaranteeing the civil rights of every person in the Southern District of Texas,” said US Attorney Hamdani. “We rely on our police officers and federal agents every day to serve and protect. This lone officer, however, used his authority to stalk and prey on his victims for his own sexual pleasure. We are pleased that the jury agreed that such behavior will not be tolerated in our community.”

The jury determined that Boykin had deprived two separate victims of their right to bodily integrity while acting in his capacity as a state trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in that he committed aggravated sexual abuse of one victim. and kidnapping in connection with another victim. He was also found guilty of two counts of destroying, altering or falsifying records in a federal investigation.

At trial, one of the victims described how Boykin had driven her to a secluded parking lot after being ordered out of her friend’s car following a traffic stop. Once there, Boykin falsely accused her of being a prostitute, threatened to take her to jail, and forced her to perform oral sex on him. He then told her to run while placing his hand on his gun.

The jury heard evidence showing Boykin’s DNA in the parking lot. The victim’s DNA was also found in Boykin’s underwear.

The second victim testified that Boykin ordered her out of her friend’s car and placed her in Boykin’s vehicle. Boykin falsely told her he had outstanding traffic warrants. He then took this victim to the same isolated parking lot, where she performed oral sex on him. Three days later, Boykin tried to put her back in his car, but she was able to escape.

The jury heard about statements Boykin made to authorities. Regarding the sexual assault of the first victim, he said he thought he “got away with it” and knew he shouldn’t have done it. He said he “just wanted to try.”

The jury did not believe the defense’s claims and ultimately found him guilty.

US District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. presided over the trial and set the sentence for April 4. At the time, Boykin faces up to life in federal prison.

Boykin has been and will remain in custody awaiting sentencing.

The Houston Police Department and Texas Rangers conducted the investigation with assistance from the FBI and DPS. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sebastian A. Edwards and Kate A. Suh are prosecuting the case.