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Uber Driver Choked and Sexually Assaulted Young Man, Prosecutors Say

By Erica Demarest | January 14, 2015 1:29pm
 Adnan Nafasat, 46, choked and groped a man he picked up in Boystown last summer, prosecutors said.
Adnan Nafasat, 46, choked and groped a man he picked up in Boystown last summer, prosecutors said.
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Chicago Police Department

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — An UberX driver sexually assaulted a 21-year-old man who hailed a ride in Boystown last summer, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Adnan Nafasat, 46, choked and groped the victim before trying to force him to perform oral sex, Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Cooper said during a brief bond hearing.

The attack happened in the early morning hours of July 31 when the victim requested an UberX ride in the 700 block of West Cornelia Avenue, Cooper said.

Nafasat told the man to sit in the front seat because the car's backseats were dirty and broken, prosecutors said. Nafasat then headed south to a neighborhood the victim didn't recognize.

As he drove, Nafasat repeatedly groped the man, Cooper said. Each time the car stopped in traffic, Nafasat allegedly choked the man so that he couldn't escape.

Cooper pointed out in court Wednesday that Nafasat is 5'10" and 240 pounds, while the victim is 5'8" and 110 pounds.

Nafasat eventually stopped the car and tried unsuccessfully to force the victim to perform oral sex before driving the man home, Cooper said.

Nafasat was arrested Tuesday and charged with kidnapping, criminal sexual assault and unlawful restraint. Prosecutors did not say why he wasn't arrested sooner.

Cook County Judge James Brown ordered Nafasat, who lives in suburban Villa Park, held in lieu of $150,000.

Nafasat's attorney said his client is married with three children.

This is the second case of an Uber driver being charged with sexual assault in Chicago. On Nov. 16, a driver allegedly raped a woman who requested a ride.

Maxime Fohounhedo, 30, of the 4400 block of North Lawndale Avenue, was charged with criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse in the incident, according to police.

Uber data was used to track down Nafasat, authorities said.

"We immediately removed the driver from our platform upon learning of the allegations and have been assisting authorities with the investigation,” said Uber spokeswoman Jennifer Mullin.

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