Uber driver charged with kidnapping and assaulting a passenger in Santa Ana

Man also charged with strangling second woman and threatening her

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A 30-year-old Uber driver has been charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 51-year-old woman who hired him to take her to work. He is also facing felony charges for assaulting and threatening a second woman.

Jason Humberto Rodas, of Garden Grove, has been charged with one felony count of kidnapping to commit rape, one felony count of assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, one felony count of attempted forcible rape, two felony counts of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, and one felony count of criminal threats against two victims.

He faces a maximum sentence of life plus seven years in state prison if convicted on all charges. Rodas is currently being held at the Orange County Jail on $1 million bail. His arraignment was continued until October 2, 2020.

On September 9, 2020, a 51-year-old woman called an Uber at 4 a.m. to take her to work. Rodas is accused of picking the woman up and taking her to a dark cul-de-sac instead of her destination. The woman ran from the vehicle, but Rodas is accused of grabbing her, strangling her and attempting to sexually assault her. She managed to escape and run to here workplace.

In August of 2020, Rodas is accused of strangling a woman after he threatened to strangle her. On September 4, 2020, he is accused of threatening to kill the woman. Jane Doe then contacted police to report the threats and the strangling.

“Rideshare services offer a valuable service that provides impaired drivers an alternative to getting behind the wheel and an option for transportation for people who otherwise do not have transportation,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Anyone who uses rideshare services should not have to live in fear that they will be sexually assaulted or otherwise victimized. Violence under any circumstance is not acceptable and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Deputy District Attorney Kristin Bracic of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.