Uber driver sexually assaulted 15-year-old girl during ride, court documents say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A 49-year-old Uber driver is being accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl while giving her a ride.

According to court documents obtained by Eyewitness News, Leonel Medina has been charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child under 17 years old.

Investigators said sometime last week, the teen ordered an Uber to take her to a local Family Dollar store. They said Medina picked up the girl and began driving her to the back of a neighborhood before stopping at a dead end.

That’s when investigators said Medina told the girl to cancel the ride.

He then got into the backseat and locked the doors as she struggled to get out, according to court documents. Medina sexually assaulted the teen, according to investigators, drove her back home and dropped her off.

The teen told investigators she didn’t alert Medina when she noticed he wasn’t driving to the store because she thought he was taking an alternate route.

In an interview with investigators, Medina admitted to assaulting the girl.

Uber for a response. The company issued the following statement Wednesday night:

“The horrific details being reported are something no one should ever have to experience. We immediately banned the driver and stand ready to work with law enforcement on their investigation.”

The company also said it runs background checks on all potential drivers. The process checks MVR and criminal offenses at the local, state and federal level.

Drivers are re-screened annually, according to Uber.

In addition, the company also has a “Minor Policy,” which states anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult to ride.

Uber will deactivate a rider’s account if a driver, third party, or riders themselves gives reason to believe they are under 18. The account can only be reactivated if the account holder submits documentation proving that he or she is 18 or over.