Four Uber drivers are facing charges related to kidnapping and attempted sexual assaults on passengers in a series of alarming incidents. Among them, Barney Flores, 35, Cesar Martell, 32, and Janake Manatunga, 57, are set to appear in a Houston, Texas court on federal charges, while 42-year-old Abdou Mbacke has fled the country.
Mbacke is accused of an incident where a woman alleged she passed out drunk in his taxi and woke up in a motel bed next to him hours later. The FBI suspects there may be additional victims and is encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
In a separate incident in December 2023, Mbacke reportedly deviated from the intended destination with a 22-year-old passenger who had passed out, leading her to wake up in a compromising situation. Following the report of this incident, Uber promptly banned Mbacke’s account, who subsequently left the country on a one-way flight.
Janaka Manatunga is facing charges of trying to sexually assault an intoxicated female passenger by confining her in his car. Uber terminated its association with Manatunga upon receiving the complaint.
Cesar Martell was apprehended in January 2024 after DNA evidence linked him to a 2021 assault. He is now confronting multiple charges of kidnapping and sexual assault as several female passengers have come forward with allegations.
One of the incidents involving Martell in June 2021 reportedly involved an attempted sexual assault and strangulation at a petrol station, from which the victim managed to escape. In another occurrence in May 2023, Martell is said to have coerced a victim to book a ride outside the Uber app, leading to her kidnapping and assault.
Uber stated that Martell was removed from their platform immediately upon learning of the accusations and promptly contacted the authorities. Barney Flores is accused of locking a passenger in his vehicle and attempting a sexual assault, persisting to drive until the victim escaped and reported the incident to the police.
During a press briefing, FBI Houston Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Ryan Whalen, cautioned ride-hailing drivers about potential prison sentences for offenses against passengers. He introduced Operation Lighthouse, an initiative aimed at combating sexual assaults on rideshare passengers, emphasizing a strict approach under federal law.
Uber responded to the Houston allegations by condemning sexual assault and kidnapping, highlighting their commitment to safety and swift action against any reports of misconduct. They assured ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and investment in safety measures to protect passengers.