A 51-year-old Uber driver originally from Cuba was taken into custody on Monday in Hialeah, Florida. He faces accusations of sexually assaulting a 63-year-old woman he met through the ride-hailing app, as reported by Miami local media.
Joe Luis Suárez Pozo, a Miami resident, was apprehended by the Hialeah Police Department's Community Response Team on East 53rd Street. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight (TGK) Correctional Center on charges of sexual assault.
Details of the Alleged Incident
According to the arrest report cited by local news outlets, the victim's daughter had ordered an Uber for her mother to travel from Hialeah to Boca Raton to care for her granddaughter. Suárez Pozo was the driver assigned to the ride.
During the trip, the driver and the passenger exchanged phone numbers for potential future rides. A few days later, Suárez Pozo contacted the woman, claiming he was nearby and inviting her for coffee. She accepted, considering him, as noted in the police report, "a good person."
However, instead of heading to a café, Suárez Pozo drove to Victor Wilde Park at 1701 W. 53rd Terrace and stopped there. He allegedly climbed over her in the passenger seat, touched and kissed her without consent, and forced her to touch his genitals.
When the woman attempted to flee the vehicle, the accused followed her, forcibly placing her in the back seat where the assault reportedly continued before driving her back home.
Delayed Report of the Incident
The alleged assault took place in February 2026, but the victim did not report the incident to the police until July 2, five months later. Hialeah Police spokesperson Eddie Rodriguez stated that the woman was deeply traumatized and sought professional help before coming forward.
"She sought professional assistance, and thankfully, that person encouraged her to take action," Rodriguez remarked.
The arrest report indicates that Suárez Pozo's statements during questioning aligned with the victim's account, leading to his formal arrest.
On Tuesday, Suárez Pozo appeared before Miami-Dade Judge Mindy Glazer, who found probable cause and set bail at $7,500.
Uber's Response and Search for Additional Victims
Uber confirmed the removal of Suárez Pozo from their platform, clarifying that the assault did not occur during an active ride. "Although this did not happen during an Uber trip, we are outraged by this report and have banned the driver from the platform. Uber is deeply committed to safety and ready to assist authorities with their investigation in any way possible," stated a company spokesperson.
The Hialeah Police have also issued a public appeal for any additional victims to come forward and contact investigators. "Now I'm concerned there may be other victims," Rodriguez warned.
This incident joins a string of cases involving ride-sharing drivers in the Miami area. In June 2026, another Uber driver was arrested in Doral for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a passenger picked up in Miami Beach, a case potentially resulting in a life sentence.
In response to these incidents, Uber announced stricter background checks, including searches up to 99 years of criminal history linked to the driver's Social Security number, effective as of June 29.
Nevertheless, the case of Suárez Pozo raises a question that these measures do not fully address: what responsibility do platforms have when drivers use contacts made through the app to commit crimes outside of it?
Understanding Legal Implications for Ride-Sharing Platforms
What charges is Joe Luis Suárez Pozo facing?
Joe Luis Suárez Pozo has been charged with sexual assault following the alleged incident with the 63-year-old woman in Hialeah.
How has Uber responded to the incident?
Uber has banned Suárez Pozo from its platform and expressed outrage over the report, even though the incident did not occur during an active Uber ride. The company is cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation.
What steps has Uber taken to enhance safety measures?
Following similar incidents, Uber has implemented stricter background checks by extending the criminal history search up to 99 years based on the driver's Social Security number.