NewsLocal News

Actions

Former Santa Maria Uber driver accused of sexual assault pleads guilty

Posted at 6:31 PM, Oct 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-10 21:44:57-04

A former Santa Maria Uber driver arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a passenger is expected to be sentenced to a year in jail and felony probation after pleading guilty Thursday.

Shadi Abdul Aziz, 37, was arrested in May.

According to the Santa Maria Police Department, the victim told detectives that she had an Uber driver pick her up and drive her to a location in Santa Maria. But after arriving at the location, the victim said Aziz drove her to another spot and sexually assaulted her.

He was caught at the U.S./Mexico border after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

As part of a plea agreement, Aziz pleaded guilty to rape of an intoxicated person. He will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

He's expected to be sentenced in November.