Police say a 16-year-old Valley girl was sexually assaulted by an Uber driver during a ride home from school earlier this year.
Court records reveal that on June 1, 2015, a high school student requested an Uber ride home from her school in Phoenix to her home in North Scottsdale after taking her final exams.
Police say the driver, 53-year-old James Richard Stough II, picked her up and started talking with her. The student told Stough she was an athlete and was recovering from a severe ankle injury.
Before getting to the victims' home in North Scottsdale, Stough told the victim he was a nurse and pulled over in an area with undeveloped home lots in the area of Pinnacle Peak and Pima. He opened the back door telling her that he was going to look at her ankle.
The girl later told police she was terrified and did what she was told as Stough inappropriately touched her.
Stough released the girl about a half mile from her home. The girl's father called police and requested an Uber ride, knowing the same driver may have been in the area. Scottsdale Police arrived at the home at the same time as the suspect.
Police says Stough denied any involvement, but Uber records confirmed that he stopped the fare in the location the victim said.
Lab work showing Stough's DNA on the girl's shorts was returned to Scottsdale Police on December 22nd and Stough was arrested. He is facing charges of kidnapping, sexual conduct with a minor and assault.
Stough, who has been removed from Uber, had no prior complaints against him.
