Uber driver, a teacher, accused of sexual assault, kidnap
CHARLESTON, S.C. - A North Charleston middle school teacher has been accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman while working as a driver for the popular ridesharing company Uber.
Multiple media outlets report that according to an arrest affidavit, 39-year-old Patrick Aiello of Charleston on Sunday night demanded sexual favors from a 23-year-old intoxicated female passenger in his car. The woman says Aiello attacked and sexually assaulted her before kicking her out of the vehicle.
The Charleston Post and Courier newspaper reports that according to the affidavit, Aiella picked ip the woman and a male friend Sunday night at a live music venue and after the driver dropped the friend off the woman asked if he would take her a few extra blocks so that she didn't have to walk in the dark. Aiella allegedly drove her around but not to her home, and told her she needed to pay him in sexual favors.
After he allegedly kicked her out of the vehicle, the woman ran into the highway for help and was hit by a car.
Aiello, a teacher at Zucker Middle School, was arrested Monday on charges of kidnapping and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the newspaper, the affidavit indicates he admitted kissing her and performing oral sex on her before kicking her out of the car.
Charleston County School District spokesman Daniel Head says Aiello has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Uber spokeswoman Kaitlin Durkosh says Aiello has been removed as an Uber driver. It is unclear if he has an attorney.