Felix Torres has been convicted and sentenced to life in jail for raping a female passenger after driving her in December 2022 from Naples, Florida to her apartment in Fort Myers, When she exited the vehicle and started walking toward her apartment, Torres put on a mask and pushed her to the ground and overpowered her outside the Ashlar Apartment on Corbel Circle in Fort Myers. The assault happened at approximately 4 a.m, on December 4, 2022.
A Lee County jury convicted Torres of one count of sexual battery with great force while masked on December 19, 2024. State prosecutors had dropped one count of kidnapping 10 days prior to trial.
After letting her out of the vehicle, Torres put on a mask and followed her to her door. The victim was walking to her apartment when Torres came up from behind and threw her to the ground. The victim tried to scream, but Torres covered her mouth. The victim tried to fight him off, but she was overpowered, and Torres sexually assaulted her and drove away with her phone. Detectives from the special victims unit responded immediately to the call. Detectives identified the driver as Felix Torres. They obtained a search warrant and found proof he was the driver that night. Torres was charged with sexual battery, a first-degree felony.
Sheriff Marceno of LCPD also stated that video surveillance shows Torres, masked, running behind the woman to her front door. Marceno also revealed that Torres has past felonies for armed robbery, narcotics, and breaking and entering. A civil lawsuit may help determine how Torres was able to pass a background check with Uber.
In response to the arrest, Uber made the following statement: "We are sickened by what the rider reported to police. The driver has been banned from the Uber platform, and we are committed to assisting law enforcement however we can."
Rideshare Companies Are Responsible For Drivers' Behavior
Rideshare services can be a convenient way to get around. Whether you're traveling or need a ride home after a night out, companies like Uber and Lyft have provided a convenient alternative to taxis or car rentals. However, numerous people have been sexually abused by rideshare drivers in the past few years. A recent report released by Uber, revealed that more than 3,000 sexual assaults were reported on the company's 1.3 billion rides in 2018. Victims were both drivers and riders, including some incidents between riders. In instances of rape, 92% of the reported victims had been riders.
Uber customers have an expectation of proper vetting of their Uber drivers for qualifications, as well as for safety. Many Uber passengers are critical that Uber has not employed technology to deter sexual misconduct and ensure that the safety of their passengers. It is unacceptable that there are employees who take advantage of trusting riders and break the law.
Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault claims on behalf of clients sexually abused by their Uber or Lyft driver. An employee of any company is never permitted to have unwanted sexual contact with a customer. If you have been a victim of sexual assault or sexual battery during an Uber or Lyft ride, or if you know someone who has, please contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation.