38-year-old man allegedly sexually assaulted woman in Miami Beach while posing as rideshare driver – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) – A man has been charged with sexual assault and kidnapping after police say he sexually assaulted an intoxicated woman in Miami Beach while posing as a rideshare driver and convincing her to get into his car.

According to Miami Beach police, 38-year-old Claudel Lesperance committed the crime in February after picking up a woman leaving the Barroom Club on Washington Avenue.

He was arrested Thursday after tests found his DNA on the victim’s clothing, investigators said.

On Friday morning, the suspect appeared before Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy S. Glazer.

“They were arrested for sexual assault and attempted kidnapping,” Glazer said.

People posing as rideshare drivers are a problem across the country and in South Florida.

In March 2021, police said a fake rideshare driver raped an 18-year-old tourist in Fort Lauderdale, and in January another man tricked a woman into believing he was an Uber driver, causing her to wake up naked in a Little Havana hotel the next day.

“You should check it before you even set foot in it,” said Miami City Police Officer Michael Vega.

As the busy holiday weekend approaches, Miami Police are issuing a warning, especially for women.

“You must always check that the vehicle you are getting into is the one that is shown on your phone,” Vega said. “Secondly, once you get into the vehicle, you should ask the driver, ‘What is your name?’ And that name should match the one shown in the app.”

Even if you confirm you have the right driver, police say you should share your ride with a trusted friend or relative. The app will send a notification and share your location so they can keep an eye on your rides.

Popular ride-sharing apps offer this option under the safety feature icon.

Or, according to police, simply call a friend and keep them on the phone the entire trip.

Another piece of advice from the police is that you are safer in a group.

“Even if you have just one drink, it’s going to affect your thought process. So always be in pairs or at least with a few people,” Vega said. “Be in a group, stay together. Don’t stray from your group. That’s a good plan to have before you even go out.”

Lesperance remains behind bars without bail.

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