By El Latino Newsroom
An Uber driver has pleaded guilty to kidnapping a passenger with the intent to rape her while she was unconscious during a ride in Ventura County, California, prosecutors announced.
The defendant, identified as Simranjit Singh Sekhon, of Bakersfield, entered his guilty plea on Nov. 6, 2026. He also admitted an aggravating factor for taking advantage of a position of trust.
According to Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, Sekhon picked up the victim outside a bar in Thousand Oaks at approximately 1 a.m. on Nov. 27, 2025. He was supposed to drive her to her home in Camarillo.
The woman was intoxicated and fell asleep during the ride. However, after the trip should have ended, Sekhon continued driving the unconscious passenger around Camarillo and sexually assaulted her.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and arrested Sekhon on Dec. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles County.
Prosecutors Say Driver Exploited Passenger’s Trust
Prosecutors emphasized that the victim had placed her trust in the driver to get her home safely after leaving the bar.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Twyla Atmore, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Sexual Assault Unit, is prosecuting the case.
“The victim made a responsible decision and placed her trust in the defendant to return her safely to her home,” Atmore said.
She added that Sekhon exploited the woman’s vulnerable condition to sexually assault her, describing his conduct as predatory.
“His conduct was predatory and deserving of the sentence he will receive,” Atmore said.
The case highlights the responsibility of rideshare drivers to protect passengers, particularly when they are vulnerable and rely on the driver to reach their destinations safely.
Defendant Faces Up to Life in State Prison
Sekhon is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9, 2026, at 9 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court.
According to prosecutors, he faces a sentence ranging from seven years to life in state prison.
Sekhon remains out of custody pending his sentencing hearing.
