Uber Scandal: Drivers Accused of Heinous Crimes

Four Houston-area Uber drivers now face federal kidnapping charges in what prosecutors call the first case of its kind, launching a nationwide operation that could reshape how rideshare crimes are prosecuted.

Story Overview

Federal prosecutors indicted four rideshare drivers for kidnapping female passengers for sexual assault between 2021-2025
The charges mark the first federal kidnapping indictments against rideshare drivers in U.S. history
Operation Lighthouse launched to identify more victims and deter similar crimes nationwide
Three defendants are in custody while Abdou Mbacke remains a fugitive with an active warrant
Federal charges carry potential life sentences, giving prosecutors significant leverage over state cases

Federal Prosecutors Make History with Rideshare Kidnapping Charges

The Justice Department shattered new legal ground when it announced federal kidnapping charges against Abdou Mbacke, Cesar Martell, Janaka Manatunga, and Barney Steve Flores. These Houston-area men exploited their positions as Uber drivers to target vulnerable female passengers across a four-year crime spree. U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei warned potential predators that federal intervention brings “structural advantages” over state prosecutions, including the possibility of life imprisonment.

The defendants operated across Houston’s sprawling metropolitan area, using the rideshare platform to identify and isolate victims. DNA evidence linked Cesar Martell to attacks in 2021 and 2023, while the other defendants committed separate assaults between 2023 and 2025. Their methods ranged from diverting passengers to remote locations to physically preventing victims from leaving vehicles.

Pattern of Predatory Behavior Spanning Multiple Counties

Martell’s alleged crimes demonstrate the calculated nature of these attacks. In June 2021, he reportedly kidnapped a passenger and attempted to sexually assault and strangle her at an abandoned gas station near McCarty Street before she escaped. Two years later, he allegedly lured a second victim outside the Uber app, kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and strangled her near Lockwood Street.

Mbacke, currently a fugitive, stands accused of accepting a ride near North Sam Houston Parkway in December 2023, then diverting his intoxicated 22-year-old passenger to a motel on FM 1960 where he sexually assaulted her. His case progressed through state courts before federal prosecutors intervened, recognizing the broader implications of rideshare-related kidnapping.

Operation Lighthouse Targets Rideshare Violence from All Angles

The federal initiative extends beyond driver-on-passenger crimes to include assaults committed by passengers against drivers. This comprehensive approach acknowledges that rideshare violence affects multiple stakeholders in the growing gig economy. FBI Houston Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ryan Whalen emphasized that federal agencies will pursue perpetrators regardless of their role in the rideshare transaction.

Authorities urge additional victims to come forward through the FBI’s 1-800-CALL-FBI hotline. The multi-agency collaboration includes FBI Houston, Houston Police Department, and Harris and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Offices. This coordinated response demonstrates how federal resources can supplement local law enforcement capabilities in complex criminal investigations.

Federal Charges Send Clear Message About Exploiting Trust

The timing and severity of these charges reflect growing concern about public safety in the rideshare economy. Ganjei specifically warned against confusing convenience with safety, noting that predators exploit the trust passengers place in rideshare platforms. Federal kidnapping charges carry significantly heavier penalties than state assault charges, potentially resulting in life sentences that serve as powerful deterrents.

Uber terminated Flores’s account the same day he allegedly confined and attempted to sexually assault a passenger near Wheeler Street in May 2025. However, the platform’s reactive approach highlights ongoing challenges in preventing crimes before they occur. The federal prosecution strategy acknowledges that traditional background checks may not identify individuals who become predators after gaining platform access.