Police: Taxi driver sexually assaulted ‘profoundly disabled’ woman

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - A man is facing sexual abuse charges after authorities say he assaulted a disabled woman who was riding in his taxi cab.

According to an arrest slip for Ismael Omer, the victim was picked up in his Yellow Cab, outside Downs Syndrome of Louisville for a ride home.

On the way to her home, police say Omer pulled the car over in an unknown location, got in the back seat and sexually assaulted the victim. He then returned to the driver’s seat and drove her home.

When she got home, witnesses saw her ‘visibly upset and frantic’, and they called police.

The incident was reported to Adult Protective Services and TARC.

But a spokeswoman for Down Syndrome of Louisville says they were not informed of the incident until last week when Omer was arrested.

Executive Director Julie Torzewski said Down Syndrome of Louisville received a similar complaint about the same driver in March 2019, and that is what started an investigation by LMPD in April.

That investigation is still listed as open and active.

"The safety of our members is and always will be a top priority for Down Syndrome of Louisville," Torzewski and Board Chairman Thom Nicholas said in a letter addressed to the DSL family. "We can assure you that we are taking every step we can to ensure their safety while in our care and will advocate for those who serve our members to do the same."

Authorities said the victim ‘has a profound intellectual disability.'

Omer’s cab license was revoked by the city on Monday. Yellow Cab informed city officials Monday that Omer had been fired.

Omer pleaded not guilty to charges of second degree sexual abuse.

The second complaint against Omer was not mentioned in the arrest warrant.