Fake Ride Share Driver Sexually Abused Unconscious Women: DA

BAY SHORE, NY — A Bay Shore man was indicted on Tuesday on charges of posing as a ride share driver and sexually abusing an unconscious female passenger — as well as unlawfully videotaping others — for more than two years, officials said.

Raul Guaman, 43, was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal sexual act, a felony; second-degree burglary as a sexually motivated felony, a felony; second-degree burglary, a felony; first-degree sexual abuse,a felony; four counts of second-degree unlawful surveillance, a felony; two counts of third-degree sexual abuse, a misdemeanor; and failure to stop at a stop sign, a traffic infraction, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini and Suffolk County Police Acting Commissioner Stuart Cameron said.

On November 14, Guaman illegally entered a residence in Suffolk County and sexually abused a woman who was asleep, Sini said. The woman awoke and called 911, officials said. Guaman and his vehicle were captured on video surveillance arriving at and leaving the residence, Sini said.

Police later arrested Guaman on November 18 for failing to stop at a stop sign, Sini said. After an investigation, detectives discovered numerous videos on Guaman’s cell phone showing him engaging in sexual acts with unconscious females since at least January 2019, officials said.

Police were able to identify one woman and are continuing to investigate the identities of the others, Sini and Cameron said.

Guaman’s cell phone also contained videos taken surreptitiously on four separate dates of a second woman from the same residence he broke into on November 14, Sini said.

Law enforcement also searched Guaman's residence, where the Suffolk County Police Department's third squad seized 32 cell phones and 16 driver’s licenses belonging to women, Sini said. The investigation revealed evidence suggesting that Guaman was posing as a ride share driver and picking up women before sexually abusing them, Sini and Cameron said said.

“Guaman’s actions are both shocking and disturbing,” Cameron said. “The true scope and magnitude of this case is under active investigation and our department is currently attempting to identify other victims who were preyed upon by this defendant.”

If convicted, Guaman faces a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison. He is due back in court on January 6.

“This is very much an ongoing investigation, but we wanted to get information on this case out because we are attempting to identify additional victims,” Sini said. “The Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Squad has been working tirelessly in collaboration with my office to investigate this individual and hold him accountable. For those folks who may have been victimized by this defendant, it is critically important that you come forward.”

The investigation is ongoing. Sini and Cameron urged anyone who believes he or she may have been a victim or anyone with information to contact the Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Squad at 631-854-8352.