A Cary rideshare driver is behind bars in Wake County after Raleigh police say he sexually assaulted a passenger during an early-morning trip on Wednesday. Officers arrested 30-year-old Ryan James Davey and charged him with kidnapping, sexual battery, indecent exposure, resisting a public officer, an open-container violation and driving while impaired. He is being held without bail at the Wake County jail and was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.
What police allege
According to The News & Observer, an arrest warrant accuses Davey of exposing his genitals to the passenger, grabbing her face and forcing her to kiss him. The warrant also says he refused to cooperate with officers after the ride. Police reported finding an open container in the vehicle and told investigators they believe he was impaired at the time. Court records reviewed by the paper show a breath test reading of 0.10, which is over North Carolina’s legal limit for driving.
How the law treats impairment and sex crimes
North Carolina law makes it a crime to drive with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, and chemical tests such as breath samples can be used in court as evidence. State law posted by the North Carolina General Assembly sets that threshold in General Statute 20-138.1. The state’s criminal code in Chapter 14 outlines felony penalties for kidnapping and sexual offenses, which carry the possibility of much stiffer punishment than a standard impaired-driving conviction.
His record and the next steps
Court records reviewed by The News & Observer show Davey pleaded guilty to a DWI in February 2015 and had his license suspended for a year after an earlier incident. The paper also reports that a release order notes a pending DWI charge from 2022. Prosecutors scheduled him for an initial appearance on Wednesday, and he remains in custody at the Wake County jail.
Rideshare safety and community concerns
The case lands amid ongoing debate over how rideshare companies protect passengers and vet their drivers. Lawsuits and local reporting in recent years have pushed for tougher background checks and clearer requirements for notifying police about alleged crimes. ABC11 has previously reported on riders suing Lyft and a series of allegations that fueled calls for stronger in-app safety features. Raleigh police say their investigation into Davey is active and are asking anyone with additional information to contact investigators.
