A former Lyft driver in Austin, Maurys O. Madruga-Mesa, has been convicted of charges stemming from a 2024 incident involving the kidnapping and sexual assault of a woman. On June 25, as CBS Austin reported, a Travis County jury found the 43-year-old guilty after a trial that examined the details of the assault. Madruga-Mesa was sentenced to 10 years for the sexual assault and received a five-year sentence for the aggravated kidnapping, with the latter being recommended for probation by the jury.
As the FOX 7 Austin news detailed, the victim recounted a harrowing night where she was picked up by Madruga-Mesa in May 2024, who then veered off the intended route, making several stops before assaulting her. It was told by the Austin Police Department that Madruga-Mesa was not the actual Lyft driver pictured in the app, admitting to using a friend's account to obtain rides.
The sentence comes after an investigation that culminated in Madruga-Mesa's arrest on September 12, 2024, with an indictment following that November and a further indictment in April of this year to include the charge of aggravated kidnapping. "Our office is grateful to our committed staff and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable and seek justice for the victim," Travis County District Attorney José Garza said in a statement obtained by FOX 7 Austin. "We hope this verdict continues to help the victim with their healing journey."
After the ride was prematurely ended at the wrong location by Madruga-Mesa, Lyft sent the victim a safety alert. During the trial, evidence and testimony painted a picture of the crimes that led to Madruga-Mesa's conviction and eventual sentencing, with both sentences to be served concurrently. As Lyft cooperated with the authorities, providing necessary ride history and driver information, Madruga-Mesa continued to deny any wrongdoing up until the trial's conclusion, according to information provided by CBS Austin.
