Ex-Uber driver gets a year in jail for kidnapping, assaulting woman picked up in Downtown Pittsburgh

A former Uber driver convicted of kidnapping and assaulting a woman he picked up while off-duty in Downtown Pittsburgh nearly two years ago will spend another eight months behind bars.

Soumana Dao, 32, was sentenced Monday to a year in jail, and he will receive about four months of credit for time served, court records show.

Dao also must register as a sex offender for 15 years, spend five years on probation and is prohibited from making contact with the victim.

On a Saturday night in October 2017, the victim was waiting for an Uber ride near Penn Avenue and Seventh Street when a car displaying an Uber sticker pulled up nearby, the victim and prosecutors said, according to Trib news partner WPXI-TV.

Thinking that Dao was her Uber driver, the woman got into Dao’s car.

But instead of taking the woman to her destination in the South Hills, Dao began driving toward his residence in the North Hills, WPXI reported.

While driving, Dao began touching the woman inappropriately and groping her, according to police and statements from the victim.

When Dao parked at his West View apartment complex, the woman sought help from a neighbor, who intervened and alerted authorities.

Uber officials said within two days of the incident that Dao was removed as an Uber driver.

He was found guilty of kidnapping, false imprisonment, indecent assault and harassment following a non-jury trial in Allegheny County Court, records show.

A simple assault charge against him was dropped.

As part of his sentence, Dao may not work for any ride-share companies.