BOSTON — Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on Daudah Mayanja, the Uber driver charged with two counts of rape following the alleged sexual assault of a passenger early Saturday morning.
Mayanja, 37, is a Ugandan citizen, according to a release from Massachusetts State Police.
The alleged sexual assault occurred near the Hatch Shell in Boston overnight Saturday; law enforcement received the report of the incident around 1:15 a.m. An investigation by authorities led to the arrest of Mayanja, who currently resides in Waltham.
#UPDATE: ICE has placed a detainer on the suspect, Daudah Mayanja, a Ugandan citizen, who is charged with raping a woman in his vehicle on the Esplanade. He will be arraigned tomorrow in BMC. #Boston25 https://t.co/fx4Y7ci2xK
— Courtney Spinelli (@CourtSpinelliTV) March 31, 2019
Police said the alleged victim is a woman who was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
"That’s really scary," Boston native Molly Hanlon said. "I know my mom always warns me, she’s always worried about Uber and I think it’s obviously important to be aware, make sure they know your name. But it’s scary. It’s things that you don’t think happen."
State Police Crime Scene Services personnel and a chemist for Massachusetts State Police collected the potential evidence for forensic analysis, and state police are investigating the matter.
#BREAKING: State Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault by an Uber driver that occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Storrow Drive near the Hatch Shell in Boston. Daudah Mayanja, 37, of Waltham has been charged in connection w/ 2 counts of rape. #Boston25
— Courtney Spinelli (@CourtSpinelliTV) March 30, 2019
An Uber spokesperson released a statement, calling the incident "horrible" and saying it will help authorities as they investigate the incident.
"What’s been reported is horrible and something no one should ever go through," Uber's statement read. "We stand ready to support law enforcement with their investigation.”
JUST IN: @Uber releases this statement in response to the arrest of one of their drivers for raping a woman early this morning. The alleged assault happened on Storrow Drive in #Boston near the Hatch Shell. We’re live at 6PM with the latest @boston25 #uber pic.twitter.com/5LQXnDOrqi
— Litsa Pappas (@LitsaPappas) March 30, 2019
Uber also said it's increasing its safety features, and said riders can call 911 directly through the app while sharing their location with their GPS technology.
Some Uber riders say they already use some of the app's safety features, but said crimes like this are just another reminder to be extra cautious with the service.
"I think it’s convenient and I think it’s a thing people need, and most of the time it’s better to not walk home to take an Uber instead," Hanlon said.
Mayanja was being held on $25,000 bail, but it has since been increased to $100,000.
He is set to be arraigned Monday in Boston Municipal Court.
Additionally, Mayanja’s bail has been increased from $25K to $100K #Boston25
— Courtney Spinelli (@CourtSpinelliTV) March 31, 2019
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