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Uber driver found guilty of sexually assaulting college student

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Updated  September 13, 2024 5:13pm EDT
Tampa
FOX 13 News

Uber driver found guilty of rape of international student

Kylie Jones reports

An Uber driver has been found guilty of three counts of sexual battery under specified circumstances.

Steeve Louis was accused of sexually assaulting a passenger in August 2023 through a ploy using Cash App.

Prosecutors say the victim, who was 20-years-old at the time, called an Uber, and Louis was the driver who picked her up.

The woman was an international student and studying in Tampa.

"She is terrified, every single step of the way," the prosecutor said.

Prosecutors say during the Uber ride, the woman told Louis that her tuition was due soon, and she was discussing with her family how the payment would be made internationally.

Prosecutors say Louis took the woman’s phone when he was dropping her off, downloaded Cash App and said he would help her set it up.

They say the woman started getting text messages from an unknown number claiming to be an agent with Cash App. 

During the trial, prosecutors showed text messages from this so-called agent, threatening to take the woman’s visa for allegedly using Louis’ information to set up Cash App, unless she provided video evidence that she and Louis were in a relationship.

RELATED: Tampa man impersonating Cash App employee accused of sexually assaulting international student: HCSO

Prosecutors say it was at this point that the victim was coerced into performing multiple sexual acts with Louis.

"Steeve Louis is the agent," Muriel Moore, a prosecutor said. "The agent is Steeve Louis."

However, Louis’ attorneys argue that he never forced the woman to do anything, and that he believed this was consensual.

"Mr. Louis did not believe that she thought this wasn’t consensual," Louis’ attorney said.

Prosecutors say Louis preyed on the woman and took advantage of her.

"He is threat personified," Moore said. "He’s angry at her. He’s pushing her. Everything she says, not good enough."

The defense referenced hundreds of texts, including messages where Louis’ attorneys say the woman told him she had a good time with him.

"They’re talking about their real feelings for each other, because she enjoyed Mr. Louis," Louis’ attorney said. "He was respectful to her. He was not pressuring her."

A jury delivered the guilty verdict Friday afternoon after about an hour of deliberation.

Louis was taken into custody and is expected to be sentenced on October 31.

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