Four Uber drivers in Houston face federal charges of kidnapping and sexual assault against female passengers in the metro area. Read the details.
Four Uber drivers in Houston face federal charges of kidnapping linked to alleged attempts to sexually assault female passengers in various parts of the metro area. Federal prosecutors described the case as one of the first of its kind against ride‑hailing drivers, raising alarms among app-based transportation users in Houston and its suburbs.
The announcement was made by federal prosecutor Nicholas J. Ganjei at a press conference, accompanied by representatives from the FBI in Houston, the Houston Police Department (HPD), the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. According to authorities, the four men exploited the trust generated by ride‑sharing platforms to allegedly kidnap and assault female passengers who believed they were on a safe trip.
The defendants were identified as Cesar Martell, Barney Steve Flores, Janaka Manatunga and Abdou Mbacke. According to court documents, all used active Uber accounts to pick up victims and then deviate from routes, detain them in the vehicle, or take them to other locations with the apparent intent of committing sexual assaults.
Alert for users: Uber drivers in Houston under investigation
In one of the cases, authorities say Abdou Mbacke accepted a trip request in December 2023 near the North Sam Houston Parkway area. Instead of taking the 22-year-old passenger to her destination, he allegedly moved her to a motel on FM 1960. According to the documents, the young woman was intoxicated and lost consciousness during the ride. Later she reported waking up in the motel room, beside Mbacke and without any of her clothing.
The victim panicked and the driver left the room without answering her questions, according to the complaint. Uber canceled his account the same day the incident was reported. Authorities also revealed that Mbacke bought a one-way plane ticket on July 24, 2025 and left the country the following day. He remains at large and also has a pending state charge from October.
The case reinforces warnings about the use of app-based transportation services and the importance for passengers to always verify the vehicle and driver details. Houston is a city where thousands rely daily on these services, making reports about Uber drivers in Houston accused of serious crimes a matter of great concern.
Serious Offenses and Victims Across Different Areas of Houston
Another Uber driver in Houston charged, Cesar Martell, is connected to at least two incidents. In June 2021, he allegedly drove a woman to an abandoned gas station near McCarty Street, where he attempted to assault her sexually and strangle her. The victim managed to escape.
In a separate case, occurring in May 2023, prosecutors say Martell persuaded another passenger to contact him outside the Uber app with the promise of a cheaper ride. According to the investigation, instead of taking her directly to her destination, he deviated and stopped the vehicle near Lockwood Street, where he kidnapped and sexually assaulted her.
Martell was already on eight years of probation for other charges of attempted aggravated sexual assault and attempted sexual assault, sentence handed down in March 2025. Another sexual assault case against him had previously been dismissed, according to records.
In the case of Janaka Manatunga, documents indicate that, in April 2025, he took a passenger to a parking lot in The Woodlands, where he allegedly detained her inside the vehicle and attempted to sexually assault her, preventing her from closing the door to escape. His Uber account was also canceled.
Meanwhile, Barney Steve Flores is charged in connection with a May 2025 incident, when he allegedly kept a passenger locked in his car near Wheeler Street, attempted to sexually assault her in the rear seat and continued driving with the victim still inside the vehicle. She managed to escape and reported the incident; Uber removed his profile the same day.
Federal Investigation and Call for Potential Victims
Federal authorities said that three of the four Uber drivers in Houston are already in custody, while Mbacke remains at large. Because the incidents occurred in different years and areas of the metro—including north Houston, The Woodlands, and downtown—the investigators believe there may be more victims who have not yet come forward.
The FBI urged anyone who suspects they may have been a victim of any of these drivers to contact authorities by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. They stressed that even details that may seem minor can help strengthen the case.
These federal charges against Uber drivers in Houston are particularly relevant to the Houston area’s Latino community, where many people rely on these services to get to work, medical appointments, or to move around without their own vehicle. Language barriers, immigration status, or fear of reporting crimes can cause victims to hesitate in seeking help, complicating the investigation.
Safety tips for Uber users in Houston
In light of news like this, security experts recommend that users of ride‑hailing platforms always verify:
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That the vehicle’s license plate matches what appears in the app.
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That the model and color of the car are the same as listed for the trip.
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That the driver’s photo and name match the information in the app.
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Share the trip in real time with a family member or friend.
In Houston, where traffic and long distances make Uber and other apps part of daily life, taking a few seconds to confirm the trip details can make a meaningful difference. The community can also help by reporting unusual behaviors, inappropriate comments, or suspicious deviations from the route.
Authorities stressed that most trips are completed without incident and that the company has cooperated with the investigation, canceling the accused’s accounts as soon as the incidents were reported. However, cases like this remind us that safety is never 100% guaranteed and that staying informed and vigilant is key for any transportation user in the Houston area.
