Honk News (St. Charles County, MO) – A rideshare driver has been arrested on criminal charges after being accused of sexually abusing two passengers earlier this month in St. Charles County.
Ahmad Rayahi, 37, has been charged by the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with first-degree harassment, second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree kidnapping as part of an ongoing investigation.
Rayahi is associated with two purported incidents of sexual abuse that occurred on January 9 and January 14, as stated in a release from the St. Charles Police Department on Thursday.
On January 9, authorities reported that an 18-year-old individual sought a ride using the Lyft app. The victim reportedly escaped from the driver in St. Charles after experiencing abuse and subsequently reached out to law enforcement.
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On January 14, authorities reported that a 34-year-old individual sought a ride using the UberX service. The driver reportedly strayed from the planned route and engaged in acts of sexual misconduct at another site in Lake St. Louis. A friend was contacted by the victim, who ultimately managed to escape after another individual confronted the driver.
Authorities have named Rayahi as the individual behind the wheel in both incidents. On Wednesday, he was taken into custody and is currently held in St. Charles County with a cash-only bond set at $250,000.
According to the police in St. Charles, Rayahi entered the United States on a tourist visa that has now expired, as stated in the release.
The St. Charles Police Department is looking into the potential for more victims. Authorities in St. Charles are urging anyone who may have pertinent information regarding Rayahi to reach out to their detective bureau at 636-949-3320.