A Uber driver assault case in Southern California has reached a major turning point as the driver admitted to kidnapping and sexually assaulting a sleeping female passenger.
Guilty Plea in Ventura County
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced that 36-year-old Bakersfield resident Simranjit Singh Sekhon pleaded guilty on November 6 to charges of kidnapping with intent to commit rape. The incident took place on November 27 of last year around 1:00 AM, when Sekhon picked up the female passenger in front of a bar in Thousand Oaks. Her intended destination was her home in nearby Camarillo.
Details of the Attack
Intoxicated, the victim fell asleep shortly after boarding the vehicle. Investigators revealed that instead of ending the trip upon arrival, Sekhon continued driving with the unconscious woman, roaming around the Camarillo area while carrying out the sexual assault. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation, leading to Sekhon’s arrest in Los Angeles County about three weeks later on December 15.
Upcoming Sentencing
Sekhon is currently awaiting sentencing out of custody. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 9 at the Ventura County Superior Court. Prosecutors state that Sekhon faces a state prison sentence ranging from a minimum of seven years to a maximum of life imprisonment.
