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 made the announcement during a 1 p.m. news conference alongside officials from 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 victim to a motel along FM 1960 instead of her intended destination. The victim later reported waking up in the motel room with her clothing removed. Uber terminated his account the same day the crime was reported, records show.
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.
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 .
KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry reached out to Uber for a response regarding the indictments.