Disturbing details revealed in alleged assault on 12-year-old rider by Uber driver in North Texas

Caution: The following article contains graphic details. Reader discretion is advised.

New details have emerged following the arrest of a man accused of sexually assaulting an unaccompanied child during a rideshare service in the Dallas-Fort Worth area earlier this month.

Robert Johnson III, 31, was taken into custody on July 15 and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child in connection with an incident that occurred on July 9.

The Plano Police Department said that around 2 p.m. that afternoon, Johnson, an Uber rideshare employee, responded to a pickup request in Frisco in a Kia Forte and picked up a 12-year-old girl at a facility on Timber Ridge Drive.

Johnson allegedly pulled off the road in the 4200 block of Legacy Drive in Plano and sexually assaulted the young girl. A three-page probable cause affidavit obtained by NBC 5 revealed disturbing details of the alleged attack, including why the child was traveling alone.

According to the affidavit, the 12-year-old victim ‘uses the rideshare service, specifically the service for unaccompanied kids, that is meant to have more highly vetted drivers to get to therapy.’

Rideshare company Uber confirmed the alleged incident happened during an ‘Uber Health’ ride. The service helps patients get to and from non-emergency medical appointments, delivers groceries, and fills some prescriptions.

However, the service described above appears to describe ‘Uber for Teens’ and not Uber Health, which the company said was used. The 26-minute drive took 37 minutes, according to Uber data.

Under ‘Uber for Teens’, ‘Guardians who add a teen account to their Family profile will be notified every time their teen requests a ride—and they'll get real-time alerts plus live trip tracking so they can follow their teen's ride in the app, from pickup to dropoff.’

The affidavit said the child's mother told police she noticed her daughter's strange behavior when the girl got home, appearing withdrawn and going to bed early.

"[The victim] was asking questions about whether the Uber that picked her up was a 'regular' Uber or if it was one just for kids… Also told [mother] that the driver bought her snacks, which seemed unusual," the report said.

The following day, the girl returned to her therapist and disclosed what she said happened. The therapist, a mandatory reporter in the state, reported the incident to the police.

According to the document, the girl said Johnson began asking her about music and changing the music for her. She stated she told the driver and then asked, "What's your favorite position?" and she asked if he meant in sports. He responded, "No, like sex."

Johnson allegedly proceeded to encourage her to have sex, saying his first time was at age 11, discussing sexual activities.

"While they were talking, he was twisted around and touching her thigh and demanded she get in the front seat," the affidavit said.

Johnson turned into a parking lot on Legacy Drive, where the assault continued. When the victim eventually complied and got in the front seat, Johnson was accused of molesting her and exposing himself.

The report further stated that Johnson threatened the child by saying, "The last thing you have to do is suck my D. You have to do it if you want to go home.” According to court documents, Johnson ejaculated on the child's face, and she described his penis as "super short."

Before allowing her to get out, Johnson allegedly threatened the girl, saying, "Don’t tell nobody, or there will be issues."

The victim came forward despite believing it was "her mistake for getting in the front seat of the car." Despite feeling "ashamed," she worried about "other girls who end up right with the Uber driver, Johnson."

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Uber released the following statement to NBC 5.

"This monstrous behavior has no place in our society or on the Uber platform. We take reports of this nature very seriously and have permanently banned the driver. We have been in touch with the Plano Police Department regarding their investigation."

Plano police said that on July 12, a judge found probable cause for Johnson's arrest and allowed authorities to issue a warrant.

Five days after being held at the Collin County Jail, Johnson was released on a $200,000 bond. His attorney did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

Uber rules for minors require that riders under the age of 18 be accompanied by an adult.

When requesting Uber Health trips for accompanied minors, add the adult’s name (not the minor’s) to the name fields in the Uber Health dashboard. The internal memo field can be used to identify the rider as the minor as needed. Our Community Guidelines require account holders to be 18+ or ride with an adult when using Uber, unless our local guidelines, terms, or other policies say otherwise (such as when using an Uber teen account). 

Plano Police's spokesperson, Officer Jennifer Chapman, encourages parents to take extra security measures when using rideshare services, including live streaming apps but stresses that there is only so much one can do.

“The mother thought that she was doing the right thing,” said Chapman. “Unfortunately, no matter how many things were done right, these predators are still going to infiltrate these systems.”

Police are also responding to an onslaught of criticism and “parent shaming” of the victim’s mother.

“I don’t believe parent shaming is helpful in this case,” said Chapman. “It’s something we should all learn from, should all look out for each other, come up with solutions.”

Authorities are asking anyone who has had any unwanted, inappropriate contact with Johnson to contact the Plano Police Department's SVU tip line at 972-941-2044 or policetips@plano.gov. 

Tips on taking precautions during rideshare services

Authorities advise rideshare users to stay vigilant and take preventive measures when using these services.

• Follow your intuition. If your driver makes you uncomfortable or unsafe, trust your intuition and call 911.
• Avoid sharing personal details with your driver, like why you're going to your destination.
• Share your trip. Some rideshare services allow you to share your trip status with a friend or family member so they can track your location in real time.
• Check your ride. Before getting in the car, ensure the driver, car, and license plate match the information in the app.
• Have the driver confirm your name.
• Ask the driver to confirm your name before you get in the car instead of telling them your name.
• Be a backseat rider.
• Sitting in the back seat, especially riding alone, can help you exit safely and give you some personal space.