Beacon Journal staff report
An Uber driver accused of sexually assaulting a female passenger last month in Akron turned himself in at the Summit County Jail, authorities said Wednesday.
A warrant had been issued for Brandon Franklin, 33, of Tallmadge, who is charged with one count of sexual battery. Akron police said he is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Akron Municipal Court.
Authorities reported that a 22-year-old woman had been drinking with friends and was intoxicated on March 25 when a friend called Uber to take the victim to her home in East Akron.
The victim told police that she woke up in her room and found her Uber driver was sexually assaulting her. The suspect fled from the house when the victim pushed him out of the room, authorities said.
Akron’s alleged incident is part of a broader, national trend.
On Valentine’s Day, 36-year-old Francis Scott is accused of posing as an Uber driver when he picked up a 15-year-old girl in Rhode Island. He’s accused of sexually assaulting the teenager.
Last month, 35-year-old Qahtan Talib was charged in Texas with sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman he picked up while working as an Uber driver.
Earlier this month, 37-year-old Uber driver Angel Sanchez was arrested in California on charges that he sexually assaulted a female passenger. Police believe there are other victims too.
Uber spokespeople did not return a request for comment.