Four Uber drivers have been accused of kidnapping and attempting to sexually assault passengers in a series of alarming incidents. Three of the drivers, identified as Barney Flores, 35, Cesar Martell, 32, and Janake Manatunga, 57, are scheduled to appear in a Houston court to face federal charges, while the fourth driver, 42-year-old Abdou Mbacke, has fled the country.
One of the drivers, Abdou Mbacke, is accused of an incident where a woman alleged that she blacked out in his vehicle and later woke up undressed in a motel room beside him. The FBI suspects there may be additional victims and is encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Mbacke allegedly diverted a 22-year-old woman to a motel instead of her intended destination after she passed out in his vehicle in December 2023. The woman recounted waking up next to Mbacke in a compromising situation and noted his swift departure when she regained consciousness.
Uber took immediate action by suspending Mbacke’s account following the report of the incident. Mbacke has since disappeared after booking a one-way flight out of the U.S. in July of the previous year.
Janake Manatunga is accused of trying to sexually assault an inebriated female passenger after confining her in his car. Uber terminated its agreement with Manatunga upon receiving the complaint.
Cesar Martell was apprehended in January 2024 following DNA evidence linking him to a 2021 assault. He now faces multiple charges of kidnapping and sexual assault stemming from several female passengers coming forward.
In a specific incident from June 2021, Martell is accused of taking a woman to a gas station where he attempted to assault her before she managed to escape his grasp.
Additionally, in a May 2023 incident, Martell reportedly instructed a victim to request a ride outside of the Uber app to avoid detection, subsequently leading to her alleged kidnapping and assault.
Uber promptly removed Martell from its platform upon learning of the accusations and promptly informed law enforcement.
Barney Flores allegedly trapped a passenger in his vehicle and made an attempted sexual assault while continuing to drive until the passenger successfully fled and reported the incident to the police.
During a press briefing, Ryan Whalen, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at FBI Houston, cautioned ride-hailing drivers about the consequences of offenses against passengers. He introduced Operation Lighthouse, an initiative aimed at combating assaults on rideshare passengers, emphasizing vigorous prosecution of offenders under federal law.
In response to the Houston allegations, a spokesperson for Uber conveyed the company’s abhorrence for sexual assault and kidnapping, emphasizing their commitment to swiftly banning drivers involved in such incidents and cooperating with law enforcement agencies. Uber reiterated its dedication to safety, including a 24/7 team of former law enforcement professionals to support investigations and ensure passenger security through continuous enhancements and collaboration with authorities.