Austin Man Charged with Sexual Assault During Lyft Ride

Austin Man Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault During Lyft Ride

Austin, Texas — A man remains in Travis County jail following charges related to an alleged sexual assault that took place in May. The suspect, identified as Maurys Medruga-Mesa, is accused of committing the assault while driving a Lyft vehicle.

Incident Overview

According to court documents, the incident began when Medruga-Mesa, who was driving under the name “Jorge,” picked up a woman in southeast Austin. The documents reveal that he immediately began to make comments about her appearance, telling her how beautiful she was. These comments soon escalated into inappropriate remarks, raising concerns for the safety of the passenger.

While the woman was in the vehicle, Medruga-Mesa allegedly locked the car doors, forcing her into the front seat with demands that she move forward. He is said to have continued the assault multiple times during the ride, even as he acknowledged the wrongdoing by stating that he was making a mistake.

Attempts to Escape

Reports indicate that Medruga-Mesa disabled the Lyft app during the ride, which triggered a safety message for the woman. This message alerted her that she was no longer in the vicinity of her drop-off location, creating a potential signal for help. In a further attempt to control the situation, Medruga-Mesa allegedly took the victim’s phone, rated himself five stars, and completed the ride.

As the ordeal continued, the victim devised a plan to escape. She fabricated a story about her boyfriend tracking her phone location, a tactic that provided her with the opportunity to exit the vehicle as it neared her home. After she managed to get out, Medruga-Mesa reportedly drove off.

Police Investigation

Following the reported assault, the Austin police obtained data from Lyft to further investigate the incident. However, they faced difficulties confirming whether Medruga-Mesa was genuinely working as a Lyft driver at the time of the attack or whether he was impersonating a driver. This aspect of the case has raised questions about rideshare safety and the verification processes involved in these services.

The police reached out to Lyft regarding the incident but have not yet received a reply. This delay leaves some unanswered questions regarding the company’s protocols for ensuring the safety of its passengers.

Current Status

Medruga-Mesa has been charged with felony sexual assault and remains in custody at Travis County jail. His bond is set at $40,000, and the legal proceedings are ongoing. Victims of sexual assault often face immense challenges, and cases like this highlight the importance of awareness and protective measures in rideshare situations.

Conclusion

The report of this alleged assault has sparked discussions about the responsibility of rideshare companies, the safety mechanisms in place, and how incidents like this can be prevented in the future. Austin continues to address transportation safety, hoping that incidents like these will lead to improvements in safeguards for all passengers.