Lyft Driver Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Passenger

By edhat staff

A Lyft driver from Lompoc was found guilty of sexually assaulting a female passenger from Nipomo. 

Jason Lamont Fenwick, 52, was arrested last November by San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Deputies for several charges including oral copulation with an intoxicated victim, sexual penetration with a foreign object with an intoxicated victim, and burglary.

The initial report states Fenwick picked up the victim who requested a ride through the Lyft driving service because she was too intoxicated to drive home. Fenwick drove the victim to her residence in Lompoc and due to her level of intoxication, he helped her inside where she became unconscious. Fenwick was accused of sexually assaulting the victim inside her home after she lost consciousness.

Fenwick pleaded not guilty and claimed the sexual acts were consensual.

The court found Fenwick not guilty for burglary with the intent to commit sexual assault, but he was found guilty of the intent to commit sexual assault and two counts of sexual assault of an intoxicated individual and illegally photographing the victim.

Fenwick could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. 

The victim has joined an ongoing civil lawsuit against Lyft claiming the company has failed to protect victims of sexual assault from their hired drivers.