Federal prosecutors on Thursday announced kidnapping charges against four Uber drivers accused of posing as trusted rideshare drivers to kidnap and sexually assault passengers across the Houston area.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced during a 1 p.m. news conference alongside officials from the FBI Houston, the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
The federal kidnapping charges against rideshare drivers are the first of their kind, officials said.
The defendants have been identified as Cesar Martell, Barney Steve Flores, Janaka Manatunga and Abdou Mbacke. All four are accused of using Uber accounts to lure victims into their vehicles before kidnapping them for the purpose of sexual assault.
Court documents allege Mbacke accepted a ride request in December 2023 near the North Sam Houston Parkway area, then drove the 22-year-old victim to a motel along FM 1960 instead of her intended destination. She lost consciousness in the Uber due to alcohol consumption and later reported waking up in the motel room next to Mbacke with her clothing removed. She started panicking and Mbacke left and wouldn’t answer her questions, according to court documents. Uber terminated his account the same day the crime was reported, records show. Investigators found Mbacke booked a one way flight on July 24, 2025 and left the country on July 25, 2025
Prosecutors allege Martell was involved in two separate incidents. In June 2021, he allegedly drove a woman to an abandoned gas station near McCarty Street where he attempted to sexually assault and strangle her before she escaped. In May 2023, investigators say he persuaded another victim to contact him outside the Uber app for a cheaper ride, then kidnapped and sexually assaulted her after pulling over near Lockwood Street. He had already been on eight years probation for two other charges, which include attempted aggravated sexual assault and attempted sexual assault. The probation sentence was issued in March 2025. Another sexual assault case against him had been dismissed.
Manatunga is accused of assaulting a woman in April 2025 after driving her to a parking garage in The Woodlands. According to court filings, he prevented her from closing her car door and confined her while attempting to sexually assault her. His Uber account was later terminated.
Flores is charged in connection with a May 2025 incident in which he allegedly confined a passenger in his car near Wheeler Street, attempted to sexually assault her in the back seat and continued driving with the victim still inside. She later escaped and reported the crime. Uber records show his account was terminated the same day.
Federal authorities confirmed that three of the four accused Uber drivers are now in custody, while Mbacke remains on the run. Mbacke has also been wanted on a state charge since October.
Officials would not discuss where they believe he may be located or details of the manhunt, calling it an active investigation.
The FBI urged anyone who believes they may be a victim to contact law enforcement at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips at tips.fbi.gov .
An Uber spokesperson sent KPRC 2 the following statement:
Sexual assault and kidnapping are horrific crimes that have no place in our society or on the Uber platform. When we became aware of these allegations, we immediately banned the drivers involved and removed their access to the app. We have a dedicated global team, including former law enforcement professionals, available 24/7 to assist with active investigations. They’ve been working with federal prosecutors and will continue to do so. Safety is fundamental to our work, and we will continue to invest in innovative safety features, support law enforcement, and take swift action whenever serious allegations are reported.