A man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting an unaccompanied child during a rideshare 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 on July 9.
According to the Plano Police Department, Johnson, a rideshare driver, responded to a pickup request in Frisco around 2 p.m. that day and picked up a 12-year-old child who was alone. He allegedly pulled off the road in the 4200 block of Legacy Drive and sexually assaulted the child. The child informed their mother about the incident the following day, leading to a police report being filed.
On July 12, a judge found probable cause for Johnson’s arrest, and a warrant was issued. He was arrested by Plano police officers on July 17 and detained at the Collin County Jail in McKinney for five days. Records indicate Johnson was released on July 22 after obtaining an attorney.
The Plano Police Department is urging any additional victims to come forward and contact their SVU tip line at 972-941-2044 or via email at policetips@plano.gov.
Authorities also offer the following tips for rideshare users to stay safe:
1. **Trust Your Intuition:** If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, call 911 immediately.
2. **Keep Personal Details Private:** Avoid sharing information about why you are going to your destination with the driver.
3. **Share Your Trip:** Utilize rideshare apps’ features to share your trip status with friends or family, allowing them to track your location in real time.
4. **Verify Your Ride:** Ensure the driver, car, and license plate match the information provided in the app before getting in.
5. **Have the Driver Confirm Your Name:** Ask the driver to confirm your name instead of you providing it first.
6. **Ride in the Backseat:** Especially when traveling alone, sit in the back seat to maintain personal space and ensure an easier exit if necessary.
