Share and Follow
A Kentucky Lyft driver, accused of sexually assaulting a female passenger en route to a medical appointment, now faces a U.S. immigration detainer, according to police documents.
Yordan Diaz Vera, 34, from Louisville, has been charged with first-degree sodomy, menacing, and kidnapping, as detailed in records from the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) acquired by Fox News Digital.
The presence of an immigration detainer suggests federal officials suspect Diaz Vera may be eligible for deportation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has yet to verify to Fox News Digital whether Diaz Vera is residing in the U.S. unlawfully.
Yordan Diaz Vera, 34, faces charges of first-degree sodomy, menacing, and kidnapping. (Louisville Metro Police Department)
The victim told authorities that on Feb. 4, her doctor’s office arranged a Lyft ride to take her from her home to an appointment.
After picking the victim up, Diaz Vera allegedly opened the car’s glove compartment, revealing a gun, according to an incident report.
Police said he then pulled over, got out of the car and into the backseat with the victim.
She tried to escape, but was unable to open the door due to it being locked, the report noted.
Lyft said Diaz Vera was removed from the platform. (iStock)
Once Diaz Vera was in the backseat with the victim, he forced her into sexual acts, according to authorities.
The victim said once she was dropped off at the doctor’s office, she was able to call police.
LMPD officials told Fox News Digital there is “currently” no evidence to indicate the incident was part of a pattern of related incidents.
Lyft said it is working with authorities in relation to the case. (Serene Lee/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“The subject was taken into custody quickly due to the prompt reporting and timely investigative actions by the LMPD SVU Office of Sexual and Physical Investigations,” the LMPD wrote in a statement. “It is our hope that timely investigations and successful prosecutions such as this empower victims—past, present and future—to come forward and communicate with law enforcement.”
A Lyft spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Diaz Vera was permanently removed from the Lyft platform, and the company is assisting law enforcement with the investigation.
“The behavior described is reprehensible and has no place in the Lyft community or society,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement.
All Lyft drivers must meet certain requirements to drive on the platform, including holding a valid Social Security number and driver’s license.