Long Island teen raped in NYC after Uber driver failed to check ID, family claims
The family of a 16-year-old Long Island girl is blaming Uber for their daughter’s alleged rape by a man she met on Snapchat in New York City. The Orthodox Jewish victim was taken to Brooklyn by an Uber driver, where she met up with the man who sexually assaulted her in his car and filmed the assault, according to court documents filed by her family.
The incident occurred on March 10 when the teen left her home in Nassau County and got into an Uber allegedly ordered for her by the attacker. Despite Uber’s policy that prohibits strangers from calling rides for passengers under 18 and requires minors to have a specific account for teenagers, the driver dropped off the victim in Bushwick without ensuring her safety or the presence of a guardian.
The victim, who did not understand the danger of the situation, then met Ralfy Figueroa, who has been charged with first-degree rape for the assault. Figueroa had been in contact with the victim online since January and allegedly threatened her to meet him on the day of the attack.
During the assault, Figueroa offered the victim money for sexual acts, threatened her, and forced her until she vomited. He then called a second Uber to take her home, canceled the ride once she was in the vehicle, and filmed the assault, according to the family’s lawyer.
The victim has been undergoing mental health treatment at an out-of-state facility and has expressed thoughts of suicide if the videos of the assault were to be made public. The family is seeking unspecified damages against Uber for their daughter’s trauma.
Figueroa, who had just completed a program for young offenders, now faces the revocation of his plea deal in a drug case and up to 9 years in prison. Uber expressed distress over the details of the case and reiterated its commitment to safety.
The victim’s family is holding Uber accountable for failing to follow its own policies and ensuring the safety of unaccompanied minors using the service. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and adherence to safety protocols, especially when it comes to vulnerable individuals like minors.
