A woman who thought she was getting into a vehicle belonging to an employee of a ride-sharing service was sexually assaulted early Sunday at American University in Washington, D.C.
Police have charged El Honcine Jourhdaly, a former Uber driver, with one count of first-degree sexual abuse and kidnapping, reports The Washington Post.
Authorities say the victim and a male friend flagged down Jourhdaly’s Honda Civic when they saw an Uber sticker on the rear right-side passenger window.
The two passengers asked to be taken to American University. An affidavit says Jourhdaly instructed the woman to sit in the front seat.
When they arrived at the school, Jourhdaly ordered the male passenger to get out of the vehicle. When he tried to help the woman out of the car, he sped off her still in the front seat.
The male passenger told police he called the woman’s phone. When she picked up, she said she didn’t know where they were going. He says Jourhdaly then got on the phone and said they were going to a McDonald’s.
Police say he then ordered her out of the vehicle at a different location on campus where he sexually assaulted her between 3:20 a.m. and 3:50 a.m. near Asbury Hall.
The victim initially reported the assault to campus police. American University spokesman Mark Story would not confirm whether the victim was a student at the university, citing confidentiality concerns and an ongoing police investigation.
American University issued a crime alert to students and staff, reminding students to only request rides through official apps, reports NBC Washington.
Surveillance video shows the Uber sticker was on Jourhdaly’s vehicle prior to the assault. When police arrived at his home to interview him, the sticker had been removed.
During the interview, he told detectives the woman “wanted to be with him”.
A spokeswoman for Uber says Jourhdaly began working for the company in January 2014 but was banned from the app in 2015. The company would not say why he was let go.
In Washington, D.C., first-degree sexual abuse holds a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Jourhdaly is expected to appear in court on Monday.
