A Maryland rideshare driver has been charged with rape and other offenses after a teenage passenger reported an alleged sexual assault. Federal authorities said the suspect, Abdoulaye Dia, had previously been arrested in New York City in connection with several alleged sex offenses. Montgomery County investigators identified him through information obtained from the rideshare application. The Department of Homeland Security also said he entered the United States illegally through Arizona in December 2023 and was later released.
The case centers on an alleged assault reported at a hospital in Montgomery County, Maryland. Police said the underage passenger identified her driver as the person who allegedly assaulted her after taking her to a parking lot in Silver Spring.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Charges follow report from teenage passenger |
| 2) | Investigation identifies the alleged driver |
| 3) | Previous New York allegations disclosed |
| 4) | Immigration history cited by federal authorities |
| 5) | Investigation and pending response |
Charges follow report from teenage passenger
Montgomery County police were called to a hospital on Tuesday after an underage girl reported that she had been raped. The girl told investigators that the alleged assault involved an Empower rideshare driver who had transported her as a passenger.
Authorities charged Abdoulaye Dia, who lives in Lanham, Maryland, with first-degree rape, kidnapping, second-degree assault and third-degree sex offense. The charges relate to the alleged incident and do not establish guilt. Dia was arrested on Wednesday, according to the information released by authorities.
Investigation identifies the alleged driver
Investigators said the alleged assault occurred after the driver took the teenager to a parking lot in Silver Spring. Police identified Dia using information obtained from the rideshare application, linking the reported trip to the person authorities said was operating the vehicle.
The investigation followed the hospital report and led to the arrest in Maryland. The available account does not provide additional details about the alleged encounter, the evidence collected or a court date.
Previous New York allegations disclosed
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said Dia had previously been arrested in New York City on June 10. The reported allegations included sexual abuse by forcible compulsion, forcible touching of another person’s sexual or intimate parts, injuring a child under 17 and sexual abuse without consent.
Those prior allegations were described as arrests, not convictions. The Maryland charges and the earlier New York case remain separate matters, and the information available does not state the disposition of the New York proceedings.
Immigration history cited by federal authorities
DHS said Dia is a citizen of Guinea and entered the United States illegally through Arizona in December 2023. The agency also said he was released by the Biden administration. The immigration information was provided as federal authorities discussed the Maryland arrest and Dia’s prior New York case.
The report does not provide further details about Dia’s immigration proceedings, release conditions or any federal action connected to the Maryland charges. His alleged immigration status is separate from the criminal allegations now pending in Maryland.
Investigation and pending response
The Maryland criminal investigation is based on the passenger’s report, the police inquiry and information associated with the rideshare booking. Dia faces multiple charges, while prosecutors and the courts will determine how the case proceeds.
The rideshare company was contacted for comment, but no response was included in the available report. Further information could clarify the status of the New York allegations, the Maryland court proceedings and any action involving the driver’s access to the platform.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Maryland driver was charged with rape, kidnapping, assault and a sex offense. |
| 2 | The alleged victim was an underage passenger who reported the incident at a hospital. |
| 3 | DHS said the suspect had a prior New York arrest involving alleged sex offenses. |
| 4 | Police identified the driver through rideshare application information. |
Summary
The Maryland case involves serious allegations against a rideshare driver accused of assaulting a teenage passenger. Authorities also cited a prior New York arrest and an immigration history, but the available information does not establish the outcome of the earlier case or the defendant’s guilt in Maryland. The investigation and court proceedings will determine the facts and legal status of the charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does the Maryland driver face?
He was charged with first-degree rape, kidnapping, second-degree assault and third-degree sex offense.
How did police identify the suspect?
Investigators used information obtained from the rideshare application to identify the alleged driver.
What was the prior New York arrest?
DHS said the suspect was arrested in New York City on June 10 over allegations including sexual abuse by forcible compulsion, forcible touching, injuring a child under 17 and sexual abuse without consent.
