The Plano Police Department has arrested a ride-share employee for the aggravated sexual assault of a child. Robert Johnson III, a 31-year-old male from Garland, was taken into custody on July 15th after an investigation by the Plano Police Department Special Victims Unit.
On July 9th, 2024, around 2:00 p.m., Johnson responded to a pickup request in Frisco, Texas, where he picked up an unaccompanied minor. Johnson pulled off the road in the 4200 block of Legacy Drive, where Johnson sexually assaulted the 12-year-old rider. The next day, the child disclosed the assault to their mother, and a police report was filed.
On July 12th, Honorable Judge McGraw found there to be sufficient probable cause to issue a warrant for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. Plano Police Department Intelligence Unit arrested Johnson, and he is currently being held in the Collin County Jail in McKinney.
The Plano Police Department takes all reports of sexual assault seriously and is committed to bringing justice to those who commit these heinous crimes. We are urging any additional victims to come forward and contact our SVU tip line at 972-941-2044 or policetips@plano.gov. The Plano Police Department would like to thank the Frisco Police Department for their partnership in this case.
Some residents have posted on social media that the parents of the child should be arrested for what happened. The Plano Police Department posted, "Parent shaming is not helpful. Every day kids are sent out the door and all you can do is hope you have made the best decision. The person to blame is the one who takes advantage of an opportunity. Here the child was picked up from a medical facility by Uber Health. Mom was assured repeatedly that Uber Health was safe. But how can we make it safer? How do you make all of these places you send your children safer. Those are the comments and solutions we need to hear."
The Plano Police Deparment also shared the following safety tips when using rideshare:
- Follow your intuition: If your driver makes you uncomfortable or unsafe, trust your intuition and call 911.
- Avoid sharing personal details with your driver, like why you're going to your destination.
- Share your trip: Some rideshare services allow you to share your trip status with a friend or family member so they can track your location in real-time.
- Check your ride: Before getting in the car, ensure the driver, car, and license plate match the information in the app.
- Have the driver confirm your name: Ask the driver to confirm your name before you get in the car instead of telling them your name.
- Be a backseat rider: Sitting in the back seat, especially if you're riding alone, can help you exit safely and give you some personal space.
*Note some ride-share companies allow teens to use the service. We would recommend a live video app to share with a parent during the duration of the trip.