Four Uber drivers are facing charges related to kidnapping and attempted sexual assaults on passengers in a series of alarming incidents. Three of the accused, namely Barney Flores, 35, Cesar Martell, 32, and Janake Manatunga, 57, are scheduled to appear in a Houston, Texas court on federal charges, while the fourth driver, 42-year-old Abdou Mbacke, has fled the country.
One reported incident involving Mbacke alleges that a woman passed out in his taxi and later woke up in a motel bed next to him, naked. The FBI suspects there may be additional victims and is encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
In another case from December 2023, Mbacke is accused of diverting a 22-year-old woman to a motel after she became intoxicated in his vehicle. The woman recounted waking up undressed next to Mbacke, who promptly left when she confronted him. Uber promptly deactivated Mbacke’s account upon receiving the report, and he has since left the US.
Janaka Manatunga is alleged to have locked a drunk female passenger in his car and attempted a sexual assault. Following a report, Uber terminated its agreement with Manatunga.
Cesar Martell was apprehended in January 2024 after DNA evidence linked him to a 2021 attack, leading to multiple charges of kidnapping and sexual assault as more female passengers came forward. In the 2021 incident, Martell purportedly took a woman to a gas station where he tried to assault and strangle her before she managed to escape. Additionally, in a separate incident in May 2023, he allegedly instructed a victim to book a ride outside the Uber app to evade detection, subsequently kidnapping and sexually assaulting her. Uber acted swiftly to remove Martell from the platform upon learning of the accusations and alerted law enforcement.
Barney Flores is accused of confining a passenger in his vehicle and attempting to sexually assault her. The passenger escaped and reported the incident to the authorities.
During a press briefing, Ryan Whalen, FBI Houston Assistant Special Agent in Charge, cautioned ride-hailing drivers that criminal actions against passengers could result in prison sentences. Whalen announced the launch of Operation Lighthouse, an initiative aimed at combating sexual assaults on rideshare passengers, with a strong message that offenders will be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
In response to the Houston allegations, an Uber spokesperson emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual assault and kidnapping, affirming the immediate removal of implicated drivers from the platform. The company highlighted its dedicated global team, which includes former law enforcement professionals available round-the-clock to assist in active investigations. Uber reiterated its commitment to safety, ongoing investment in innovative safety features, collaboration with law enforcement, and swift action in addressing serious safety concerns.