Plano Police Arrest 31-Year-Old Rideshare Driver for Sexually Abusing a Minor While Driving

Plano police have arrested a rideshare employee on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Robert Johnson III, a 31-year-old Garland man, was taken into custody on July 15 following an investigation by the Plano police Special Victims Unit.

On July 9, 2024, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Johnson was following a pickup order in Frisco, Texas, where he picked up an unaccompanied minor. Johnson pulled off the road in the 4200 block of Legacy Drive, where he sexually assaulted the 12-year-old driver. The next day, the child reported the assault to his mother and a report was filed with police.

On July 12, Judge McGraw found there was sufficient probable cause to issue an arrest warrant for aggravated sexual assault of a child. The Plano Police Department’s Intelligence Unit arrested Johnson and he is currently being held at the Collin County Jail in McKinney.

The Plano Police Department takes all reports of sexual assault seriously and is committed to bringing perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.

“We urge any other victims to come forward and contact our SVU hotline at 972-941-2044 or [email protected].”

The Plano Police Department would like to thank the Frisco Police Department for their partnership in this case.

The Plano Police Department would like to remind the public that ride-sharing services have become an increasingly popular and convenient means of transportation, but it is important to remain vigilant and take precautions when using these services.

• Follow your intuition.
If you feel uncomfortable with your driver or have a feeling of unsafety, trust your intuition and call 911.

• Do not give your driver any personal information, such as the reason for your journey to your destination.

• Share your journey.
Some ride-sharing services allow you to share the status of your ride with a friend or family member so they can track your location in real time.

• Check your ride.
Before getting in, make sure the driver, car and license plate match the information in the app.

• Have the driver confirm your name.
Instead of saying your name, ask the driver to confirm your name before getting in the car.

• Be a backseat driver.
Especially if you are driving alone, sitting in the back seat can help you get out safely and give you some privacy.

*Note that some rideshare companies allow teenagers to use the service. We recommend a live video app that you can share with a parent during the ride.