West Roxbury Uber Driver Charged With Sexually Assaulting Woman

QUINCY, MA — An Uber driver has been arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a passenger, police said. Kastriot Naksi, 46, West Roxbury was charged with indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years old or older and kidnapping, according to the Quincy Police Department. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment Thursday in Quincy District Court and was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

Tears streamed down Naksi's face as details from the police report were read in court. At about 12:58 p.m. Wednesday, a caller told police that her friend was sexually assaulted by an Uber driver and that the driver was scheduled to drop the victim off on Cottage Avenue. The caller stated that the Uber vehicle was a gray Honda Civic and provided the license plate number.

Officers arrived at Cottage Avenue and spoke with the caller, who told police that she received a text message from the victim that indicated the driver had touched her inappropriately and that he would not let her out of the vehicle.

About 20 minutes later, an officer found a gray Honda Civic on Cottage Avenue. He immediately motioned for the vehicle to stop and allowed the victim to exit the vehicle.

The victim told officers that on her way to Quincy, the Uber driver, identified as Naksi, pulled over to the side of the road and told her to get in the front seat. The victim stated that the rideshare service involves picking up other passengers, so she agreed. In court, prosecutors alleged that after the victim moved to the front seat, Naksi began to hit on the woman, telling her that he loved her and wanted to marry her. He then began to touch the area around her thighs and inner thighs. When she told the driver to stop and let her out, he allegedly locked the door.

Prosecutors say the victim took video of the incident. After he was taken into custody, Naksi allegedly told investigators that he did touch the victim in an inappropriate manner.

Prior to the arrangement, Naski's family denied the charges. His wife, Monika Naksi, said the vehicle's doors look automatically, and he did not intentionally lock the victim in the vehicle. The family declined to comment after hearing the details of the police report.

Naksi's dangerousness hearing is scheduled for Dec. 6.

Image via Dan Libon