Rideshare PREDATORS — FIRST-EVER Federal Charges

Federal prosecutors just filed the first-ever kidnapping charges against rideshare drivers, exposing how predators have weaponized Americans’ trust in everyday transportation services to commit horrific crimes against vulnerable passengers.

Story Snapshot

Four Houston-area Uber drivers federally indicted for kidnapping and sexually assaulting female passengers between 2021-2025
Operation Lighthouse launched as multi-agency response targeting rideshare predators with potential life sentences
One defendant remains fugitive while three are in custody awaiting trial on unprecedented federal charges
Cases span four years showing systematic exploitation of rideshare platforms to prey on intoxicated and vulnerable women

Federal Justice System Takes Unprecedented Action

U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced federal kidnapping indictments against four Houston-area rideshare drivers on January 15, 2026, marking the first federal charges of this nature in American history. Abdou Mbacke, Cesar Martell, Janaka Manatunga, and Barney Steve Flores face life imprisonment for exploiting their positions as Uber drivers to kidnap and sexually assault female passengers. This federal intervention demonstrates serious commitment to protecting citizens from predators who abuse trusted services.

Pattern of Predatory Behavior Spans Four Years

The defendants’ alleged crimes occurred between June 2021 and May 2025, revealing a disturbing pattern of exploitation. Cesar Martell allegedly committed two separate kidnapping attempts, including strangling victims at an abandoned gas station and near Lockwood Street. Abdou Mbacke diverted a 22-year-old intoxicated passenger to a motel on FM 1960 in December 2023, while Janaka Manatunga prevented a passenger from leaving his vehicle in April 2025. Barney Steve Flores confined a passenger near Wheeler Street in May 2025, leading to immediate account termination by Uber.

Operation Lighthouse Targets Rideshare Crime Network

Federal agencies launched Operation Lighthouse following these indictments, creating a comprehensive strategy to identify additional victims and deter future crimes. FBI Houston Assistant Special Agent Ryan Whalen warned potential perpetrators that federal authorities will aggressively pursue rideshare-related crimes. The operation seeks victims from both passenger-on-driver and driver-on-passenger assaults, recognizing the bidirectional nature of rideshare violence. This initiative represents a significant escalation from state-level prosecutions, offering federal resources and harsher penalties including life sentences.

Trust Exploitation Threatens Personal Safety

These cases highlight how criminals exploit Americans’ trust in everyday services to commit violent crimes. Ganjei specifically warned citizens against “confusing convenience for safety,” emphasizing that rideshare platforms create opportunities for predators to access vulnerable victims. The defendants targeted intoxicated passengers, solo travelers, and women using late-night transportation services. This systematic abuse of trusted transportation services represents a direct threat to personal safety and community security, particularly for women relying on rideshares for safe transportation.

Federal Prosecution Offers Superior Justice Framework

Federal prosecutors emphasized their “structural advantages” over state prosecutions, including enhanced resources, interstate jurisdiction, and life sentence penalties for kidnapping convictions. Three defendants are currently in custody with initial court appearances scheduled before Judge Christina Bryan, while Mbacke remains a fugitive subject to an active manhunt. The federal approach ensures consistent prosecution standards and maximum penalties for crimes that cross jurisdictional boundaries. This precedent-setting case establishes federal commitment to combating rideshare-related violence through the justice system’s most powerful tools.