Lyft driver accused of sexually assaulting female passengers, Colorado official says

A former Lyft driver is accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting or attempting to sexually assault 10 female passengers in Colorado between 2018 and 2022, according to prosecutors.

John Pastor-Mendoza, 41, was charged with 41 felonies on Oct. 19. He would respond to women’s requests as their driver when they’d order a ride, the Denver District Attorney’s Office said in a news release. Prosecutors said he’d either assault the women in his car or take them back to his home and assault them.

A Lyft spokesperson said in a statement to McClatchy News that the “behavior described is absolutely appalling” and that the “driver has been permanently removed from the Lyft community.”

“We have been in touch with law enforcement to assist with their investigation and stand ready to provide support in an ongoing capacity,” the spokesperson said.

Contact information for an attorney who could comment on Pastor-Mendoza’s behalf was not immediately available.

In July, Denver police were able to match evidence from three of the victims that linked Pastor-Mendoza to the attacks, according to the statement from the district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors said the 10 incidents allegedly occurred on:

▪ Sept. 16, 2018 – The Matchbox on Larimer Street

▪ Dec. 29 – 30, 2018 – Beta Nightclub on Blake Street

▪ March 9, 2019 – LoDo area

▪ March 17, 2019 – LoDo’s Bar and Grill on Market Street

▪ July 27, 2019 – Neon Baby on Market Street

▪ Aug. 15, 2021 – The Irish Rover Pub on South Broadway

▪ Sept. 23, 2021- Speer Boulevard and 13th Street

▪ March 4, 2022 – Tracks Denver on Walnut Street

▪ May 13 – 14, 2022 – Tracks Denver

▪ July 8 – 9, 2022 – Tracks Denver

Some of victims reported losing consciousness after leaving bars in the area and said they awoke in a bed in a home they didn’t know or the backseat of a vehicle, prosecutors said in an affidavit. Some reported having their phones, underwear or other items stolen from them, according to the affidavit.

An employee at one of the bars was able to match Pastor-Mendoza’s description with someone who would regularly pick people up as a Lyft driver, according to the affidavit.

One of the victims was able to pick Pastor-Mendoza out of a photo lineup, KMGH reported, and officers presented the case to the Denver District Attorney’s office.

Once they accepted, Pastor-Mendoza was arrested.

Pastor-Mendoza is charged with 10 counts of “kidnapping his victim to commit a sexual offense”, multiple counts each of sexual assault and attempted sexual assault and one count of robbery, according to the statement.

He’s scheduled to appear in court in November.

Investigators are asking anyone who believes they were a victim to call 720-913-2000.

This story was originally published October 20, 2022 at 12:10 PM with the headline "Lyft driver accused of sexually assaulting female passengers, Colorado official says."