Rideshare driver convicted for sexually assaulting, kidnapping women in Denver
KDVR Fox 31
DENVER (KDVR) -- A man was convicted Thursday on 30 charges related to kidnapping, sexually assaulting and attempting to sexually assault a dozen women while posing as a rideshare driver.
The Denver District Attorney's office said in a press release that John Pastor-Mendoza was convicted of kidnapping 12 women, sexually assaulting two women, and attempting to sexually assault seven others between 2018 and 2022.
According to the DA, Pastor-Mendoza falsely responded as a driver when the victims used a rideshare app before assaulting his victims either in his vehicle or after taking them to another location.
According to the arrest affidavit, the victims reported having several drinks at bars in the lower downtown area before requesting a ride. They also reported blacking out and waking up in a bed in an unknown house.
“I am very pleased with the jury’s verdict, which ensures that Mr. Pastor-Mendoza will be held accountable for his heinous crimes. I first want to thank the jurors for their service during this lengthy trial. I also want to thank the prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates and paralegals in my office, as well as the detectives and digital evidence analysts with the Denver Police Department, for their outstanding work on the case. Most of all, however, I want to acknowledge Mr. Pastor-Mendoza’s victims, whose courage in coming forward and testifying at trial resulted in today’s outcome,” District Attorney Beth McCann said in the press release.
Pastor-Mendoza is scheduled for sentencing on March 7, 2025.