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A North Texas Uber driver has been arrested and charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a child, according to CBS News. The alleged incident occurred on July 9, 2024, when the driver, 31-year-old Robert Johnson III of Garland, picked up a 12-year-old unaccompanied minor in Frisco.
According to the Plano Police Department, Johnson reportedly pulled off the road near 4200 Legacy Drive in Plano and sexually assaulted the child. The victim's mother alerted authorities the following day, prompting an investigation by the department's Special Victims Unit.
On July 12, a judge granted a warrant for Johnson's arrest on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was subsequently released from the Collin County Jail in McKinney after posting a $200,000 bond on Monday.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Uber condemned the "monstrous behavior" and stated that the company has permanently banned the driver. They also clarified that the trip was not requested through an Uber for Teens account, which is designed to provide a safer option for minors using the platform.
Uber's Community Guidelines stipulate that account holders should be 18 years of age or older, and minors under 18 should be accompanied by an adult. The company's help page also warns that "Accounts used to transport unaccompanied minors may be deactivated."
While some cities in Texas, including Dallas, have access to Uber for Teens accounts, which offer additional safety features, this incident has prompted the Plano Police Department to issue a reminder for the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions when utilizing any rideshare services.
In the aftermath of the disturbing incident where the Uber driver has been accused of sexually assaulting a minor passenger, the need for accountability and justice has become paramount. To better understand the legal recourse available to the victim and their family, we sat down with Anjali Nigam, an experienced child sexual abuse lawyer in Texas, to get her insights on navigating this complex situation.
Editor Darla Medina: Thank you for joining us. As a child sexual abuse lawyer in Texas, what are the legal options available for victims of such horrific acts?
Attorney Anjali Nigam: This is a truly disturbing and unacceptable situation. Victims and their families have several legal avenues they can pursue. First and foremost, they can file a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator for the sexual assault and the resulting trauma. Additionally, they may have grounds to file a lawsuit against Uber for negligence in allowing an unaccompanied minor to be transported, which ultimately enabled the assault to occur.
DM: Can you expand on the potential case against Uber? What would need to be proven to hold them accountable?
AN: You're right, the case against Uber could be quite significant. To prevail, the victim's legal team would need to demonstrate that Uber failed to uphold their duty of care to protect passengers, especially vulnerable minors. This could involve showing that Uber's driver screening and monitoring processes were inadequate, or that they did not properly enforce their own policies around transporting unaccompanied minors. If it can be proven that Uber's negligence directly contributed to the assault, they could be held financially liable.
DM: And what remedies or damages could the victim and their family seek through the legal system?
AN: The victim and their family would be entitled to seek compensation for the immense physical and psychological harm caused by the assault. This could include damages for medical expenses, ongoing counseling and therapy, as well as compensation for the victim's pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life. Punitive damages against both the perpetrator and Uber may also be appropriate to punish their egregious actions and deter similar behavior in the future.
DM: Thank you for providing such valuable insight into the legal options available to this victim and their family. It's clear they have a strong case to pursue justice and accountability.
AN: You're very welcome. In cases like this, it's crucial that victims and their families are empowered to seek the justice and compensation they deserve. I hope this family is able to find some measure of healing and closure through the legal process.
As Anjali Nigam made clear, victims of sexual assault by Uber drivers and their families have powerful legal options to pursue justice and accountability. From civil lawsuits against the perpetrator to potential claims of negligence against Uber, the path to finding closure and securing the compensation needed for healing is available.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a similar heinous act, we encourage you to reach out to our team for a free consultation. Our child sexual abuse lawyers are committed to fighting tirelessly on your behalf, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected. Together, we can work towards the justice and closure you deserve.
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